Iraqi journalist Haider al-Hamdani was arrested on June 28, 2026, in Karbala following a defamation complaint by the Al-Abbas Holy Shrine, following his reporting on patient and family grievances at the shrine-operated Al-Kafeel Hospital. He was released on bail on July 2.
Al-Hamdani, a presenter at Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq-affiliated satellite channel Al-Ahd was detained after appearing before the Karbala Investigative Court, according to his brother, Zyad al-Hamdani, who spoke to CPJ, and local news reports.
In a prerecorded video published on his Facebook page after his detention, al-Hamdani predicted his imminent arrest by order of the Karbala Investigative Court. According to al-Hamdani, the arrest was connected to his work documenting complaints about Al-Kafeel Hospital, including access to treatment and the cost of medical care. In the video, al-Hamdani said he believed he was being detained because he "did not remain silent" and was conveying “the grievances of the people."
Zyad al-Hamdani told CPJ that Haider, who is based in the southern city of Samawa, traveled voluntarily to Karbala to attend the court proceedings, where authorities detained him. He said the case involved defamation charges, which under Iraqi law could allow for a release on bail. According to Zyad, his brother’s lawyer submitted a request for bail, but the Karbala court refused it. He remained in detention pending investigation.
Zyad also told CPJ that Haider began a hunger strike on June 30 to protest his detention. He said the family was concerned about Haider's health and held the authorities responsible for his safety while in custody.
CPJ emailed the Al-Abbas Holy Shrine for comment but received no response.
His brother told CPJ that al-Hamdani was released on bail on July 2.
In addition to being a host on Al-Ahd, al-Hamdani is active on Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, TikTok and Youtube , where he regularly reports on local affairs, corruption allegations, and public grievances. Earlier in his career, he worked as a reporter for several Iraqi television stations, including Al-Fallujah TV.
The Al-Abbas Holy Shrine is the religious endowment that administers the shrine of Abbas ibn Ali in the Iraqi city of Karbala, one of the holiest sites in Shia Islam, and oversees a wide range of religious, educational, charitable, media, and commercial institutions, including Al-Kafeel Hospital.