(9 Jun 2021) An Iraqi militia commander whose arrest last month sparked a standoff between the government and paramilitary groups was freed Wednesday after a judge ordered his release.
The release of Qassim Mahmoud Musleh came as Iranian General Esmail Ghaani, head of the expeditionary Quds Force, arrived in Baghdad to meet with militia and political leaders, two Shiite political officials said.
The officials said the meeting was to address ongoing tensions between the government and some militia groups linked to Iran following Musleh's arrest.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to media.
Supporters of Musleh greeted him with hugs and kisses on Baghdad's central Jadriya Bridge after his release, taking photos and videos with him to celebrate.
Two Iraqi officials said Musleh was released at 8 a.m. and he returned to the southern city of Karbala, his hometown, where supporters also greeted him.
Musleh is head of the Popular Mobilization Forces in Anbar province.
He was arrested May 27 on terrorism charges following a judicial investigation. His release was ordered by an investigative judge within the PMF, to whom his case file had been sent, two Iraqi officials said.
They said the release was based on insufficient evidence. They spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.
The PMF is a state-sanctioned group comprised of an array of militias formed to battle the Islamic State group in 2014. Among the most powerful members of the group are Iran-backed Shiite militia groups.
Their growing clout within Iraq has troubled Western, especially US officials and presented an ongoing challenge for Iraq's government.
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