Iraqi TikTok Star Om Fahad Shot Dead in Baghdad After Prison Sentence for 'Indecent' Content

Iraqi TikTok star Om Fahad, whose real name is Ghufran Sawadi, was shot and killed outside her home in Baghdad on Friday by unknown assailants on a motorbike. The attack occurred in the capital's eastern Zayne neighborhood, triggering outrage on social media and prompting the Iraqi interior ministry to launch an investigation.

Fahad, who had tens of thousands of followers on TikTok and Instagram, was recognized for her light-hearted videos in which she often appeared in tight outfits dancing to Iraqi music. In February 2023, she was sentenced to six months in prison for sharing videos that the court ruled undermined "modesty and public morality."

The Iraqi government had initiated a campaign to clean up social media content that it deemed offensive to "Iraqi morals and traditions," resulting in the arrest of several influencers. Fahad's murder occurs amid concerns over civil liberties, particularly for women and sexual minorities, in the conservative Iraqi society.

Why this matters: The killing of Om Fahad highlights the ongoing challenges and risks faced by social media influencers in Iraq, a country still grappling with the aftermath of war and conflict. It also underscores the government's attempts to control public discourse and crack down on content deemed inappropriate, raising questions about freedom of expression in the nation.

Prior to her death, Fahad was involved in a feud with another prominent Iraqi figure, Dalia Naeem, who had threatened to expose Fahad's alleged relationship with senior Iraqi officials. The assassination has been attributed to Iranian militias of the Hashd Al Shaabi (PMF) group, though Fahad was not involved in politics and was targeted for her liberal lifestyle."

The incident is not the first of its kind in Iraq. In 2018, model and influencer Tara Fares was also gunned down in Baghdad. The Iraqi government has faced criticism for curtailing the civil liberties of women, sexual minorities, and other groups, with the crackdown on influencers seen as part of a broader attempt to control social media.

Key Takeaways

• Iraqi TikTok star Om Fahad shot dead outside her Baghdad home by unknown assailants.
• Fahad had been sentenced to 6 months in prison for videos deemed immoral by Iraqi court.
• Iraqi govt cracking down on social media content deemed offensive to "Iraqi morals and traditions".
• Fahad's murder highlights risks faced by influencers and concerns over civil liberties in Iraq.
• Similar incident in 2018 when Iraqi model and influencer Tara Fares was gunned down in Baghdad.