INTV, 20 Sep 2013 – The Sheiks Council for Baghdad issued a statement calling for the immediate release of Ashrafi hostages.
“Through the media we were informed about the criminal act by the criminal SWAT forces under orders issued by the terrorist Quds Force against Iranian refugees in Camp Ashraf. As a result of this crime 52 residents were killed, including six women PMOI members. Additionally, seven of the residents were taken hostage.
“We in the Sheiks Council for Baghdad condemn this hideous crime, including murdering the innocent execution-style, riddling the defenseless residents with bullets while their hands were tied behind their backs, and also killing the wounded on hospital beds or opening fire on their heads and faces.
“We hold Maliki, in cooperation with Iran, responsible for this, and the reason behind this is that Camp Ashraf is an area besieged by Maliki’s forces and no one can get anywhere close to this area without the agreement of the Iraqi government.
“Therefore, we call on the UN and UN Secretary-General himself to immediately enter this dossier and provide for the protection of Ashraf and Liberty residents by UN blue-helmet forces. Furthermore the seven hostage residents must be freed and a UN fact-finding commission dispatched to evaluate this crime in Ashraf.”

Secretariat of the Baghdad Sheikhs Council