11 IS jihadists sentenced to death for involvement in killing security forces in Iraq

Babil (IraqiNews.com) – An Iraqi court has sentenced 11 members of the so-called Islamic State terrorist group to death by hanging for their involvement in the killing of three security forces in Babil governorate in 2014.

“The convicts confessed to belonging to the Islamic State militant group and exploding a strategic bridge located in Jurf al-Nasr district in Babil in 2014, leaving three security forces dead and 19 others wounded,” the media center of the Supreme Judicial Council said in a press statement on Wednesday.

The ruling was issued by the Babil criminal court pursuant to article no. ¼ of the anti-terrorism law, the statement read.

Iraqi courts have sentenced many of Islamic State members to death over joining the militant group.

The exact number of detained militants is still unknown, however, it’s estimated to be at thousands. It’s also unclear how many members are likely to face death sentences.

Moreover, the Iraqi government did not provide estimates about the number of the foreign detained militants or those who have Arab or Iraqi origins.

Experts estimate that Iraq is holding 20,000 people in jail over suspected IS membership.

Iraq’s anti-terrorism law empowers courts to convict people who are believed to have helped jihadists even if they are not accused of carrying out attacks.