Investigation Underway After Social Media Influencer Shot Dead in Baghdad

Iraqi officials are currently looking into the tragic death of Ghufran Mahdi Sawadi, a well-known social media influencer who went by the name Um Fahad or "mother of Fahad." Sawadi, who had a significant following on platforms like TikTok and Instagram for her videos dancing to music, was shot outside her residence in central Baghdad by an armed motorcyclist. The attacker reportedly shot Sawadi as she parked her car in front of her home, stole her phone, and then escaped the scene. The incident occurred in the Zayoona neighborhood, which has seen previous targeted killings, including that of prominent security expert Hisham al-Hashimi in 2020.

The tragic incident involving Sawadi is not the first of its kind in central Baghdad, with a similar case occurring last year when Noor Alsaffar, also known as "Noor BM," was fatally shot in the city. Witnesses at the scene, like a neighbor who goes by the nickname Abu Adam, described the chilling moments after the shooting, with the victim lying on the steering wheel of her car. Social media influencers in Iraq have expanded their role from promoting products to engaging in government initiatives, even facing consequences like Sawadi, who was previously sentenced to six months in prison for social media content considered inappropriate by the authorities.

Meanwhile, on a separate note, the Iraqi parliament recently passed an amendment to the country's prostitution law that has sparked controversy. The revised law now punishes same-sex relations with a prison term ranging from 10 to 15 years, a significant change from the previous version that allowed for the death penalty. Additionally, the amended law prohibits any organization promoting "sexual deviancy," punishable by seven years in prison and a substantial fine.