Iraq's Sistani blames government for protester deaths

Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani demands the Iraqi government bring to justice those responsible for more than 100 deaths recorded during recent protests "whatever their affiliation".

KARBALA - The Iraqi government and security forces are "responsible for the bloodshed" during recent protests, top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani said on Friday.

Spiritual leader for Iraq's Shiite majority, Sistani wields significant power to influence the government. In a sermon read out at the main weekly prayers, Sistani gave authorities "two weeks" to release the findings of an investigation into the more than 100 deaths recorded during the protests since October 1.

Sistani "demands that the government investigate to find out which elements gave orders to shoot protesters, whatever their affiliation," said Abdel Mahdi al-Karbalai, a representative of Sistani who read his sermon on Friday in the holy city of Kerbala.

The cleric also criticised attacks on journalists, after unidentified gunmen raided the offices of several TV stations and at least two other reporters were snatched and briefly detained also by unidentified security personnel.

Sistani's Friday sermon heaps pressure on Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, who was brought to power with the backing of Iran-aligned political and paramilitary groups. He announced some reforms including changing ministerial posts, improving job opportunities and promising handouts for the poor.

But the measures are unlikely to quell public anger at a corrupt political class which Iraqis say has failed to improve their lives.

Iraq descended into violence at the start of the month as protests that began with demands for an end to rampant corruption and chronic unemployment escalated with calls for a complete overhaul of the political system.

The demonstrations from October 1-6 in Baghdad and across the south of the country quickly turned violent, as protests were met with tear gas and live fire, with over 100 killed and more than 6,000 wounded.

Uncertainty over the identity of the perpetrators persists, with authorities blaming "unidentified snipers". But protesters and human rights advocates insist Iraqi security forces participated in the violent repression of the rallies.

Some Iraqis have linked the shootings to Iran-backed militias and efforts by Tehran to maintain its influence in Iraq, after many protesters denounced Iranian meddling during demonstrations, seeing the Islamic Republic as a sponsor of unwanted clientelism.

'End threats, violence'

The violence, Iraq's worst since an Islamic State insurgency was put down in 2017, has been Abdul Mahdi's biggest test after a year in office.

Snipers fired from rooftops at crowds of demonstrators during the crackdown, while foreign reporters and Iraqi witnesses saw protesters killed and wounded by shots to the head, neck and chest during some of the worst violence last week.

The demonstrations were unprecedented because of their apparent spontaneity and independence in a deeply politicised society.

Sistani endorsed the protests on October 4, calling on the government to heed the demonstrators' demands "before it's too late".

"The government must change its approach in dealing with the country's problems," the cleric said, adding that lawmakers also bore a heavy responsibility. Sistani wields huge influence within Iraq's Shiite community, among whom the deadly protests were concentrated.

"The government and its security forces are responsible for the bloodshed during the recent protests", said Sistani.

"What happened demonstrates an unfettered violence that goes beyond all limits of the imagination," he added, saying "the government is responsible when, under the eye of law enforcement, protesters are fired on illegally and media are beaten or attacked to terrorise their employees."

The Ayatollah went on to call on authorities to act to "put an end to threats, beatings, abductions, sniper fire and violence by those who believe they can act with total impunity."

After six days of violence, the authorities recognised "excessive force outside the rules of engagement" had been used in Sadr City, the Baghdad stronghold of influential Shiite leader Moqtada al-Sadr.

Abdel Mahdi on Wednesday promised a full probe into the violence. In a televised address to the nation, Abdel Mahdi promised compensation to the "martyrs" -- both civilians and members of the security forces killed in clashes. He also said he would propose a government reshuffle on Thursday to parliament.