Ban Ziad: declared suicide or hidden crime?

The Basra Court of Appeal announced the results of the medical report into the death of psychiatrist Ban Ziad Tariq, stating that investigations, family testimonies, and witness accounts proved the death was a suicide, with no forensic evidence suggesting a murder.

Conflict between the family's account and initial reports

Despite the official report, doubts remain. The preliminary report revealed deep wounds on the arms and bruises on the neck and face, in addition to the fact that surveillance cameras at the scene were disabled. These details have prompted activists and politicians to question the suicide hypothesis, believing it may be indicative of "premeditated murder."

Link to the previous case of Sarah Al-Abouda

The case did not stop at criminal suspicions alone; it also became linked to the murder of university professor Sarah Al-Abouda nine months ago. Reports emerged that the late doctor, Ban Ziad, refused to prepare a psychological report for the man convicted of Al-Abouda's murder, fueling speculation that her assassination may have been linked to this case.

Popular protests and political pressure

Ban Ziad's death sparked widespread reactions in Iraq, with demonstrators taking to the streets in Basra demanding the truth be revealed and for the results not to be tampered with. Members of the Iraqi parliament also called for the investigation results to be announced quickly, stressing the need not to procrastinate or politicize the case at the expense of justice.

The position of the Doctors Syndicate and the fate of the investigation

For its part, the Basra Doctors Syndicate stressed the need to await the final forensic report and adhere to legal procedures, free from political tensions. While the family insists on the suicide account, activists maintain the murder hypothesis, leaving the young doctor's death as one of the most controversial issues in Iraq in recent times.