Basra media figure held over Shalamcheh crossing posts

Basra media figure held over Shalamcheh crossing posts
2026-08-24T15:15:03+00:00

Shafaq News- Basra

An Iraqi media figure and activist has been detained until August 26 after the Border Ports Authority filed a complaint over social-media posts about procedures at the Shalamcheh crossing with Iran, an informed source told Shafaq News on Monday.

The Publication and Media Court ordered Mustafa Abdul Razzaq Reda Al-Mayahi held while investigators question him over posts calling for private civilian vehicles to be allowed into the crossing and for the cancellation of a 3,000-dinar (around $2) entry fee.

Shalamcheh is one of Iraq’s main crossings with Iran. On March 15, Aqeel Al-Furaiji, head of the Security and Border Ports Committee in the Basra Provincial Council, said around 3,000 passengers were using the crossing daily, while about 428 trucks had entered its commercial exchange yard.

Read more: The New era of control: Can Iraq's free press survive its rulers?

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