Iraqi President Barham Salih retracted on Monday his pardon of a convicted drug dealer after massive criticism leveled against him and Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi.
Salih had pardoned in January Louay Jawad, the son of the former al-Najaf province governor who had been detained on drug dealing charges. Two of his associates were also granted amnesty.
The news of the amnesty broke out last week, prompting intense backlash against the president and prime minister.
Salih withdrew the pardon after meeting with the concerned committee that was formed to address the controversy.
In a statement on Monday, the president ordered the ministries of justice and interior to arrest the convict and ensure he is rehabilitated.
"We will not be lenient in combating the dangerous phenomenon of drug dealing," he vowed. "We will never hesitate in amending presidential decrees and orders, as long as they favor the security of society and its stability."
Sources close to the case, however, doubted that Jawad will be caught because he has since departed Iraq.
Separately, a court on Monday delayed the trial of the suspect in the assassination of renowned security expert and journalist Hashem al-Hashemi, amid reports that has been smuggled out of jail.
The source did not say why the trial was postponed.
Ahmed al-Kinani had confessed to Hashemi's killing.
This would mark the third time the trial is postponed. It will be held on May 16.
Kinani was an officer at the interior ministry who worked for an armed faction. He assassinated Hashemi in front of his Baghdad home in July 2020. Authorities arrested him a year later.
