Yazid Hassoon
A Nation’s Cause

Arrest following call for protest

Mr Hassoon reports that he was arrested after calling for a protest and publishing material concerning corruption and public affairs.

Alleged assault

He reports an assault by members of the Salah al-Din governor’s protection detail following public criticism of the governor.

Three-month prison sentence

An Iraqi court sentenced Mr Hassoon to three months in prison following online criticism of Governor Ammar Jabr and questions about a government contract. The incident was recorded by Iraqi rights groups and the U.S. Department of State.

Muqtada al-Sadr and the call to change Yazid Hassoon’s name

During Ashura remarks, Muqtada al-Sadr called for the rejection of people bearing the name ‘Yazid.’ Yazid Hassoon publicly explained that this was his personal name and expressed fear for his safety. Al-Sadr responded publicly by saying that he would call him ‘Omar Hassoon.’ The exchange did not change any civil record, but it placed Mr Hassoon’s identity under public sectarian pressure.

Iran-aligned armed groups, a public threat, and a reported raid on the home

Following his criticism of Ali Khamenei, Iranian influence, and Iran-aligned armed groups, Mr Hassoon reports a hostile campaign, threats publicly attributed to the militia-linked figure known as ‘Abu Azrael,’ and a raid on his home. Publicly available video copies corroborate that a threatening statement naming Yazid Hassoon circulated openly. They do not, by themselves, establish the provenance of the original recording or independently verify the reported raid on the home.

Public denunciations and threats of legal action by Iraqi officials

On 20 March 2026, Iraqi National Security Adviser Qasim al-Araji publicly called for legal prosecution in response to the controversy surrounding Mr Hassoon’s publication. Ajial reported his statement and also reported that Iraqi MP Ahmed Shahid threatened to file a lawsuit against Yazid Hassoon. These are documented as public political and legal pressure; the available source does not describe either statement as a physical threat.

Mr Hassoon also reports that Iraqi MP Alaa al-Haidari threatened him and has provided a direct link to the post on al-Haidari’s original Facebook page. The link is preserved below as primary-source evidence supplied by the subject of this case. Facebook prevented independent retrieval of the post’s text during this review, so its authorship and precise wording remain pending independent verification.

Arrest and search warrant

The Al Karkh Al Khadra Investigation Court issued a warrant accusing him of promoting the ideas of the banned Ba’ath Party under Article 9 of Law No. 32 of 2016. Mr Hassoon categorically denies the accusation and says the action punishes his identity and peaceful public work.