The Publication and Media Investigation Court in Basra issued a summons paper against the citizen based on a complaint submitted by Governor Asaad Al-Eidani.

According to a document followed by Al-Raya, “The court summoned citizen Abdul Sattar Ghulam Abdul Hassan, based on a lawsuit submitted by the Governor of Basra, Asaad Al-Eidani, related to the charge of “slander,” based on Article 433/1 of the Iraqi Penal Code.”

The court set a period of three days from the date of notification for the complainant to appear, warning that an arrest warrant would be issued in the event of failure to appear.

Observers wondered about the timing of the lawsuit and the nature of the charge, whether it carried dimensions beyond the person concerned, to serve as a direct message to the governor’s opponents and critics.