Iraq jails 18 police officers over Sweden embassy fire

Some of those involved in the case were permanently disbarred from the force

Supporters of Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada Al Sadr climb the fence outside the Swedish embassy in Baghdad on July 20 as firefighters try to extinguish a blaze there. AFP

Eighteen police officers were given prison sentences of up to three years by an Iraqi court on Tuesday for failing to stop protesters storming and torching Sweden's embassy in Baghdad, security officials said.

The Swedish embassy in Baghdad was set alight by supporters of the powerful Shiite Muslim cleric Moqtada Al Sadr on the night of July 20, after an Iraqi refugee desecrated the Quran in Stockholm.

A copy of the verdict seen by AFP said the internal security forces court in Baghdad on Tuesday found 18 police officers guilty of failing to carry out their duties by allowing the protesters to attack the embassy.

Eight police received three-year jail terms, seven were given two years and three months, and three were sentenced to 18 months in prison, an Interior Ministry official confirmed.

Some of the police involved in the case were permanently disbarred from the force, according to the verdict.

The officers, who included members of the diplomatic protection forces, can appeal against the ruling.

Protests in region against desecration of Quran in Sweden - in pictures

Demonstrators gather outside the Swedish embassy in Tehran to protest against an insult to the Quran in Stockholm. Reuters

A demonstrator holds up the Quran and a portrait of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a protest against Sweden in front of the Swedish embassy in Tehran. AP

An egg is thrown by demonstrator at the Swedish embassy in Tehran during a protest against the desecration of the Quran in Sweden. AP

In Tehran, Iranian students gather during a demonstration denouncing the burning of the Quran in Sweden. AFP

An egg is thrown by demonstrator at the Swedish embassy in Tehran during a protest against the desecration of the Quran in Sweden. AP

Iranian students outside the Swedish embassy in Tehran denounce the burning of the Quran in Sweden. AFP

Protesters carrying Iraqi flags and images of Shiite cleric and political leader Moqtada Al Sadr gather in Baghdad's Tahrir Square to protest against the burning of a Quran outside the Iraqi embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark. AP

Protesters chant slogans against Sweden in front of the embassy in Tehran, Iran. The Farsi placard on the left reads: "Our red lines are the supreme leader and the Quran". AP

A Lebanese man takes part in a demonstration in Beirut called by Hezbollah to condemn the desecration of the Quran in Sweden. Reuters

People march in Beirut after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah called for protests outside mosques following Friday prayers. EPA

The scene in Beirut as thousands of people took to the streets in Muslim-majority countries to protest. EPA

A woman holds the Quran in Kufa, Iraq, in protest after an activist desecrated a copy of the holy book for a second time in Sweden. AFP

A demonstrator holds up a portrait of Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada Al Sadr, in Kufa. AFP

Shiite clerics attend a protest in Baghdad, after Iraq called for an Islamic summit to discuss the desecration of the Quran. EPA

Protesters burn posters of the Swedish flag and rainbow Pride flags in Sadr City, Baghdad. AFP

Iranian worshippers hold up the Quran in Tehran. The country's goverment condemned the desecration in Sweden. AP

Demonstrators in the Iranian capital Tehran chanted: 'Down with the United States, Britain, Israel and Sweden'. Reuters

Demonstrators in Tehran march with signs denouncing the US and Israel as they condemn the burning of the Quran. AFP

The desecration of the Quran, which happened repeatedly in Sweden and Denmark this summer, sparked tension between the Scandinavian countries and Muslim nations.

Iraq retaliated against Stockholm for allowing protests in which the Quran was desecrated by announcing the expulsion of the Sweden's ambassador.

Swedish authorities had allowed the demonstrations on free-speech grounds, but said giving their permission did not mean any approval of the action taken in the protests.