Iraqi Court Sentences Kataib Hezbollah Member to 15 Years for Kidnapping US Journalist Shelly Kittleson

Iraq's Central Criminal Court on August 31 sentenced Amir Rahim Jabbar Lazim, a member of the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia, to 15 years in prison under the country's anti-terrorism law for his role in the kidnapping of American journalist Shelly Kittleson in Baghdad on March 31, according to court documents and judicial sources. The court found that Lazim provided and drove the vehicle used in the abduction of Kittleson in the al-Saadoun area. Kittleson was held for approximately one week before Kataib Hezbollah released her on April 7, just hours before the United States and Iran agreed to a ceasefire. The group had accused her of cooperating with the US to gather information against armed factions. Kittleson expressed gratitude to the Iraqi judiciary on social media platform X and affirmed her right to seek compensation. The ruling marks a rare court action against a major Tehran-aligned armed group in Iraq and comes at a critical time for the government of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, which is under intense pressure from Washington to disarm pro-Iran militias and bring all weapons under state control. Kataib Hezbollah is among several groups refusing to disarm and earlier in August accused Zaidi of engaging in provocative and irresponsible actions. Kataib Hezbollah is among several pro-Iran armed groups that intervened in support of Tehran during the Middle East war, claiming attacks on US facilities in Iraq and across the region. Iraqi security officials told The National that Kittleson was freed in exchange for the release of Kataib Hezbollah members in government custody.