Iraqi First Lady: “Justice Has No Expiry Date” as Former Regime Executioner Arrested

Iraqi First Lady’s media office

Iraqi First Lady, Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed.

In a powerful statement released today, Iraq’s First Lady reaffirmed her unwavering commitment to justice for the victims of the former regime, following the arrest of Al-Ajjaj Ahmed Hardan, a notorious figure linked to atrocities committed at the infamous Nugrat al-Salman prison in Muthanna Governorate.

“Not a single day has passed without me standing with the families of the victims,” the First Lady said. “I made them a promise: that we would pursue justice, no matter how long it takes, and that those whose hands are stained with the blood of our innocent women and children would be held accountable.”

Hardan—also known as one of the most brutal executioners of the Ba’athist era—was located and arrested following a prolonged intelligence operation. He had evaded capture for 37 years, living under false pretences and benefiting from the silence of time. According to authorities, he played a central role in the torture, starvation, and killing of thousands of detainees, including women, children, and elderly citizens, during his tenure at the desert prison of Nuqrat al-Salman.

The First Lady described him as a man “known for his cruelty, for his ruthless treatment of the Anfal martyrs and for the terror he inflicted on the families of the victims.” His arrest, she noted, marks a long-awaited step toward healing and accountability.

In her address, the First Lady issued a heartfelt appeal to former detainees and relatives of the victims: “To all former detainees, to the relatives of the Anfal victims, to the families of the missing: I call on you now to come forward. File your legal complaints. Share your testimonies. Let justice take its course and let this criminal face the consequences of his crimes against our people.”

Her remarks come at a time when Iraq continues to grapple with the painful legacy of past regimes and the long journey toward national reconciliation. The Anfal campaign—carried out in the late 1980s—resulted in the disappearance and death of tens of thousands of Kurds and other minorities.

Concluding her statement, the First Lady pledged ongoing dedication to the cause: “I remain committed with all my strength to defending this humanitarian and historical cause. I will never abandon the memory of our martyrs. I will never stop fighting for truth and justice.”



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