Central Criminal Court Sentences Kidnapper of American Journalist to 15 Years

The Central Criminal Court in Baghdad issued a 15-year prison sentence against the convicted Amir Rahim Jabbar Lazem, after his conviction for participating in the kidnapping and detention of American journalist Shelley Kittleson. Lazem's conviction came under the provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Law, for his involvement in the crime against the American journalist. In a related development, journalist Shelley Kittleson expressed her gratitude to the Iraqi judiciary, confirming via the X platform that the Iraqi Central Criminal Court issued a 15-year prison sentence against Amir Rahim Jabbar Lazem, after convicting him of being one of the armed men who held her hostage in Baghdad. Kittleson added that she is grateful for the Iraqi judiciary's attention to her case, and her appreciation for everyone who contributed to her safe release, and for all who love Iraq as she does and strive to build a better future for it. It is worth noting that the American journalist was kidnapped on March 31st last year from Al-Saadoun Street in central Baghdad.