Iraqi military sues to shut newspaper, TV station in Baghdad

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Iraq's military has filed a lawsuit seeking to shut down the Baghdad operations of a major Arab newspaper and television station, alleging they falsely reported that orders had been issued to arrest ex-detainees recently released by the US, an official said Monday. Al-Hayat newspaper and Al-Sharqiya reported last week, quoting Iraq's military spokesman, that the names and photos of the released detainees had been distributed to checkpoints with orders to arrest them as part of an investigation into recent bombings in Baghdad. Military spokesman Maj. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi said Monday that the two falsely quoted him, and the military filed a lawsuit last week to close their Baghdad operations. He said he told the TV station and the newspaper that authorities were going over the files of those recently released to see if they had rejoined armed groups - but denied that he said authorities planned to arrest them.