Justice Ministry announces the transfer of 2,400 prisoners to other facilities, raising concerns among lawmakers on the Security and Defence committee of Iraq's parliament. For them, the move sends the wrong message.

Baghdad (AsiaNews/Agencies) - The Iraqi government on Tuesday announced the closure of the infamous Abu Ghraib prison.

In a press release, the Iraqi Minister of Justice said that some 2,400 prisoners held in the facility were transferred to other prisons in central and northern Iraq as a "precautionary measure."

This comes after terrorist groups increased their presence in the area raising concerns that they might begin operating near the prison.

In response to the government's action, the Security and Defence Committee of the Iraqi parliament issued a statement saying that the closure of Abu Ghraib prison might send a wrong message - namely a lack of assurance vis-à-vis the security situation, which could in turn create a state of anxiety and panic among Iraqis about what might happen in the coming period

"Abu Ghraib prison is not fit to house prisoners and detainees," said MP Hakim Al-Zamili, a member of the Security and Defence Committee of Iraq's parliament. "It is old, and there has been more than one incident of prison break".

However, for him "The decision to close the prison and transfer the prisoners sends an alarming message. Firstly, to the Iraqi people who will be beset by anxiety and fear about what is happening, particularly with regards to the continued threats from terrorist groups like ISIS and others.

"The second message is to the terrorists who will feel that they are beginning to force the authorities to take action and this could serve to raise their morale."

Instead, "The right solution would be for there to be a military force capable of retaking the territory [held by ISIS] and not allowing terrorists to expand their influence," Al- Zamili added.

 

• iraq
• abu
• ghraib
• prison
• closure
• terrorists
• insurgency