Iraqi Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Kidnapping Journalist Shelly Kittleson

An Iraqi criminal court has sentenced Amir Rahim Jabar Lazim to 15 years in prison for his material responsibility in the kidnapping of American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson in Baghdad last spring.

Lazim supplied and drove the vehicle used in the kidnapping and is the first person convicted in connection with the case. Kittleson, 49, was kidnapped on March 31 and freed on April 8 by the pro-Iranian militia Kata'ib Hezbollah after mediation by the U.S. and Iraq, and was exchanged for several detained militants. The verdict comes as Prime Minister Ali Zaidi advances his plan to disarm and integrate pro-Iranian militias in Iraq by September 30, the date scheduled for the withdrawal of U.S. forces.

Kata'ib Hezbollah remains among the groups that have not agreed to disarm. Kittleson, who also collaborates with ANSA, reported the conviction on social media on Monday. Iraq's Central Criminal Court handed down the sentence. The kidnapping occurred when Kittleson was targeted by Iranian-backed militias.