Government legal action against inciters of violence and arms control obstructers

The Iraqi government affirmed on Monday the necessity for all state institutions to enforce the law and initiate criminal complaints against anyone involved or contributing to media incitement of violence or obstructing state decisions regarding arms control. The Media Office of the Prime Minister stated in an official announcement that freedom of opinion, expression, and media work, guaranteed by the constitution and law, must be practiced within the national framework of the law, respect for public order, and citizens rights, and cannot be used as a means to incite violence, internal fighting, or support weapons and groups outside the state authority. It added that to preserve societal peace and enable the state to perform its legal and moral duties, all institutions are obligated to apply the law and pursue criminal complaints against anyone participating in media incitement or obstructing state weapons control. The statement pointed out that this stance is based on the Iraqi constitution and existing laws, specifically the Anti-Terrorism Law No. 13 of 2005, articles 2 and 4, in alignment with the Supreme Judicial Council affirmation that using, supporting, or brandishing weapons outside state control falls under anti-terrorism laws, carrying penalties for instigators, financers, and participants equivalent to the principal offender, as well as Iraqi Penal Code No. 111 of 1969 and its amendments, including Article 195 regarding arming citizens against each other and inciting fighting, alongside articles concerning criminal responsibility for publication crimes when media content threatens public security. The government concluded that through this legal path, it exercises its duties to protect civil peace, maintain internal security and stability, and safeguard citizens against misinformation and intentional harm, ensuring the supremacy of the law and the protection of Iraq's security and people.