Live broadcast suicide attempt reignites debate on secret informants in Iraq

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of self-harm and suicide that some readers may find distressing.

A young Iraqi man in his late 20s set himself on fire during a live broadcast on his Facebook account on Monday evening, saying he was exhausted by repeated “malicious cases” filed against him through Iraq's so-called "secret informant" system.

The incident, which took place in the Hammam al-Alil area south of Mosul, sparked widespread controversy across Iraq and renewed debate over the continued use of secret informants by security agencies.

During the live broadcast, the man, identified as Abdullah Ahmed al-Jubouri, 29, spoke at length about years of harassment and repeated arrests based on "unproven allegations".

He referred to a "secret informant" who he said had "destroyed his life", and named security officers and individuals he held responsible for his situation.

According to available information, al-Jubouri had been arrested multiple times by Iraqi security forces following allegations made through the secret informant mechanism. He was repeatedly released without conviction, only to be re-arrested under the same accusations.

At the end of the broadcast, al-Jubouri poured a flammable substance over his body and set himself on fire. He collapsed shortly afterwards, while the camera continued recording, and his screams could be heard.

Radio Hala FM, based in Mosul, said the man set fire to his entire body during the live broadcast, telling viewers that he had decided to end his life because of the ongoing cases pursued against him.

Iraqi security sources told The New Arab that al-Jubouri survived the incident and was taken to the hospital in critical condition, suffering from severe burns across much of his body and complications affecting vital organs.

A security official from Mosul police said the incident occurred inside the Kurdistan Region, where al-Jubouri had been staying while wanted in connection with an outstanding judicial case. The official confirmed that his condition remains unstable.

The incident has reignited public debate over rising suicide attempts in Iraq, which activists link to mounting social, economic and psychological pressures, as well as to abuses linked to malicious accusations.

Iraqi civil activist Emad al-Shakti said al-Jubouri was "not seeking fame or sympathy" but was expressing deep pain after years of injustice.

"He was talking about dignity that was crushed and a future that ended," al-Shakti said. "What happened was a final cry against injustice and a stark example of what happens when power is exercised without accountability."

Al-Shakti said al-Jubouri's case was not isolated, warning that many others live in fear of similar accusations. "He is not an exception, but a model for thousands without a voice," he said.

Legal expert Ahmed al-Hadidi, a former member of the Nineveh Provincial Council's human rights committee, told TNA that while the use of secret informants has declined compared with previous years, the practice has not disappeared.

He noted that Iraqi courts have previously criminalised informants proven to have submitted false information that led to the arrest of innocent people. However, he said malicious cases remain common, particularly in northern, western and central Iraq.

"These accusations are often linked to terrorism related cases," al-Hadidi said, adding that security agencies tend to act quickly on such claims by carrying out arrests before investigations are completed.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of self-harm or suicide, support is available through local mental health services. In the UK, Samaritans can be reached on 116 123. In the US, call or text 988. Elsewhere, local health authorities can provide support.