Iraqi adviser murdered an hour after getting new job

Iraqi adviser murdered an hour after getting new job
Iraqi police source tells al-Araby al-Jadeed that Ahmad al-Hayali was killed by Shia militiamen in "political and sectarian" attack in Baquba.
1 min read
24 March, 2015
The attack happened near a checkpoint in Baquba [AFP/Getty]

An Iraqi government adviser was murdered in Baquba an hour after his appointment to a new position in the eastern Diyala governorate, an Iraqi police source has said.

Harith Omar al-Janabi was killed by militants in police uniform near a checkpoint in the central area of Baquba on Tuesday, the source, who did not wish to be named, told al-Araby al-Jadeed.

The attack came "an hour after his appointment letter was issued by the local government", the official said.

The official claimed the attack "bears the hallmarks of armed militias belonging to the Popular Mobilisation" - the Shia militias supporting government forces in their war against the Islamic State group.

The source claimed the attack was "sectarian and political" and said there was no evidence of involvement by the IS group.

Ahmad al-Hayali, an MP, said the attack was proof of the state within the state created by militias in Iraq, saying the government-sponsored militias operate outside the law.

The MP called for an investigation but expressed concerns the case would be quickly shelved.

This is an edited translation of the original Arabic