Ibrahim Jassam

Photojournalist Ibrahim Jassam was taken from his home in Mahmoudiya, Iraq, on September 2, 2008, and has since been detained by the US military.Los Angeles Times: U.S. holds journalist without charges in Iraq (May 24, 2009) As of May of 2009, he was the only Iraqi journalist being held by the United States government.Committee to Protect Journalists: IRAQ (in U.S. custody) Though no formal charges have been made, a spokesman for the US military accused Jassam of engaging in "activity with a known insurgent organization."Los Angeles Times: U.S. holds journalist without charges in Iraq (May 24, 2009) Jassam had been working as a freelance photographer and cameraman for the Reuters news agency at the time of his arrest.Los Angeles Times: U.S. holds journalist without charges in Iraq (May 24, 2009)

On November 30, 2008, the Iraqi Central Criminal Court that there was insufficient evidence against Jassam to continue detaining him, and ordered the US government to release him.Reuters: U.S. declines to free Reuters photographer in Iraq (December 9, 2008) The US military has declined to comply with the order, arguing that they are not legally bound to release Jassam and intend to process him as they would any other detainee.Reuters: U.S. declines to free Reuters photographer in Iraq (December 9, 2008) Jassam's case will be considered, and a possible release order processed, some time after December 31, 2009.Reuters: U.S. declines to free Reuters photographer in Iraq (December 9, 2008) Beginning on January 1, 2010, a new security pact between the US and Iraq goes into effect, which would no longer allow the US to detain Iraqi citizens.Reuters: U.S. declines to free Reuters photographer in Iraq (December 9, 2008)