Iraqi PM orders arrest of protesters who stormed Baghdad's green zone
Source: Associated Press
Iraqi PM orders arrest of protesters who stormed Baghdad's green zone
Associated Press in Baghdad
Sunday 1 May 2016 12.15 BST
The Iraqi prime minister, Haider al-Abadi, has ordered authorities to arrest and prosecute the protesters who attacked security forces and legislators and damaged state property after breaking into Baghdads heavily fortified green zone to protest delays in reform plans.
Abadis statement came a day after hundreds of angry followers of the influential Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr tore down blast walls and poured into the parliament building, exacerbating a long-simmering political crisis.
Videos on social media showed a group of young men surrounding and slapping two Iraqi legislators as they attempted to flee the crowd, while other protesters mobbed motorcades. Protesters were also seen jumping and dancing on the parliaments meeting hall tables and chairs and waving Iraqi flags.
The protesters eventually left the parliament on Saturday night and rallied in a nearby square.
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Read more:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/01/iraqi-pm-orders-arrest-of-protesters-who-stormed-baghdads-green-zone