ICC Note: Iraqi Security Forces have arrested ISIS’s Emir of the Nineveh Plains, Ibrahim Mesha’al Hassan Marei, in East Mosul. Most of Iraq’s Christians lived in the Nineveh Plains before ISIS, thus al-Hassan would’ve played a direct role in the militants’ genocide against Christians. That he was arrested in East Mosul is significant, as this is considered the “safer” part of the city. Many other suspected ISIS militants have been arrested in Mosul in recent weeks, further deterring Christians from returning home. Christians from Mosul are especially reluctant to return home after displacement.

04/30/2018 Iraq (Iraqi News) –   Iraqi troops have arrested a prominent Islamic State (IS) warlord during a raid in Mosul city, a police chief was quoted as saying Sunday.

“The 5th emergency brigade of Nineveh police arrested Islamic State’s so-called emir in Nineveh province Ibrahim Mesha’al Hassan Marei during a security crackdown at al-Entesar district in Mosul’s eastern side,” chief of Nineveh police Brig. Gen. Hamad Names al-Jabouri told the Jordan-based Al Arab Al Yawm daily.

“Law enforcement forces acted on precise intelligence data as they made the arrest,” Jabouri noted, adding that Marei was handed over to the authorities concerned to interrogate him.

Iraqi courts have sentenced tens of Islamic State members, including a big number of female 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.

The Islamic State group appeared on the international scene in 2014 when it seized large swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria, declaring the establishment of an Islamic “caliphate” from Mosul city.

Later on, the group has become notorious for its brutality, including mass killings, abductions and beheadings, prompting the U.S. to lead an international coalition to destroy it.

…

For interviews with Claire Evans, ICC’s Regional Manager, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org.