Voices from the Archive

IJA 2188

Correspondence between the Ministry of the Interior and Regional Jurisdictions

View interactive document page

Description

These archival documents contain correspondence between the Ministry of the Interior and various regional jurisdictions, the Mosul District, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Justice, the military court, and the office of police regarding a prisoner. The correspondence suggests the punishment was harsh and unfair and that the prisoner should be pardoned/released.

Metadata

Archive Reference
IJA 2188
Item Number
9040
Date
1935 - 1943
Languages
Arabic, English
Keywords
British Occupation, Correspondence, Annotation, Ministry of Justice, Handwritten, Military, Ministry of the Interior, Security Department, Mosul, Ministry of Defense, Typed, Iraqi Government

AI English Translation, Pages 1-25

Archival unit 1

M Kh / 716
6 Rabi' al-Thani 362
11 April 943
15
Directorate of Rights
- Secret -
Mosul Liwa Mutasarrifate
Subject - Dawood Abraham -
Reference to your letter No. 5111 dated 31 / 3 / 943
Royal Decree No. 109 stipulated the pardon of the person in question from the remainder of the sentence issued
against him by the Military Court Martial of the Mosul camp. This pardon is absolute <del>no</del> so it includes what remains
of the sentence term of the aforementioned to hard labor and police surveillance together, and therefore there is no room to consider
executing the police surveillance sentence against him, and we hope to settle the case on this basis.
⟦signature⟧
⟦signature⟧
Minister of Interior
M. D. (M. 10)
⟦illegible⟧
11 / 4

Archival unit 2

Adv
⟦line⟧
⟦illegible⟧
is sure.
Mut-Monel.
Al
14/4
Daud Abraham
has been pardoned
Surveillance does
not stand.

Archival unit 3

Correct
It is noted from page 109 that the person under discussion has been granted a Royal Decree
pardoning him along with other persons for the remainder of his sentence, and it appears from
the attached Military Martial Council decision that the sentence passed against him
is hard labor for a period of seven years, along with being placed under police
surveillance for five years, to be served outside the governorates of Mosul
and Kirkuk, and the Governor requests in his letter the designation of the location assigned
by the Ministry for his residence to serve the period of police surveillance.
The sentence of police surveillance is an accessory punishment, and since this
person has been pardoned for the remainder of his sentence by virtue of a special pardon,
I find that this pardon includes the aforementioned accessory punishment,
and there is no room to execute the surveillance sentence after the issuance of the special pardon.
However, I believe that the case should be presented to the Ministry of Justice to express
its opinion thereon before deciding on the matter.
For information:
⟦signature⟧
4/4

Archival unit 4

Mosul Province Governorate:
Liberations:
File Number /:
Number /: 5111
Date: 23 / 3 / 362
Corresponding to: 30 March / 943
Ministry of Interior, Iraq
Private Office
Number 1581
Date 2 / 4 / 43
Ministry of Interior
Subject - Daoud Abraham
In addition to our letter No. Confidential/16975 and dated 12 / 10 / 941
We record below a copy of our Provincial Police Director's letter No. 779 on 25 / 3 / 943 and we submit enclosed
The original petition of Daoud Abraham dated 24 / 3 / 943, who was sentenced to surveillance for a period of five years
to be spent outside the provinces of Mosul and Kirkuk after the end of his prison sentence, and since he has
been released from prison based on the amnesty that included him, we request your order to designate the place which
you assign for his residence and place him under surveillance in execution of the judgment and kindly inform us.
Governor of Mosul Province
Copy to - Director of Police
Copy of the letter
Reference to your marginal note numbered 3008 and dated 24 / 3 / 943 on the petition of Daoud Abraham
enclosed herewith.
We submit herewith a copy of the Military Martial Court decision in Mosul dated 8 / 8 /
939 regarding the sentence of the aforementioned for seven years of rigorous imprisonment and placing him under police
surveillance for five years to be spent outside the provinces of Mosul and Kirkuk. Please order to inform us
of the destination assigned by your highness for his settlement so that the necessary action can be taken, while stating
that he was released from prison based on the amnesty for the remainder of his sentence, and on this occasion we hope
for consideration of your letter numbered Confidential/16975 and dated 12 October / 941 addressed
to the venerable Ministry of Interior and its copy to us.
I request the explanation of the administration
knowledgeable about the rulings of this
person in the previous
time and how ⟦...⟧
Please see me 28 / 3

Archival unit 5

Mosul Liwa Mutasarrifate:
Paperwork Office:
Number: 2008
Date: 24 / 2 / 942
His Excellency the respected Mutasarrif of Mosul Liwa
Presented to your Excellency
Sir, the Military Court-Martial held in Mosul had sentenced me for a period of seven years on the date of
8 / 8 / 939, and a Royal Decree was issued for my pardon on the date of 12 / 2 / 942, and while I was
in Basra Prison, and when I left Basra Prison, the authorities there had requested from me
a bail for my appearance before the presence of the Director of Mosul Police, and in implementation of the alleged order, I arrived in Mosul
and submitted this petition of mine to your position regarding taking the necessary action, kindly, and the matter is yours, sir.
Let it be known that my papers are in Kirkuk, as my family is in Kirkuk.
Resident of Shatterlo neighborhood in Kirkuk Liwa.
Daoud Abraham
⟦line⟧
D. Abrahams
IRAQ POSTAGE REVENUE
40 FILS 40 Fils
Administration
To the Police Director
To take the necessary action
24 / 2 / 942
Special Branch Commissioner
His residence ⟦illegible⟧
To clarify the manner of his appearance by bail ⟦illegible⟧
26 / 2 / 942
The Assistant
⟦line⟧
The Mutasarrif
24 / 2
To

Archival unit 6

- Decision No. 118 -
The accused, Dawood Ibrahim, was brought to trial before the Council on charges of committing acts
prejudicial to security, and for bringing in Assyrians who had fled from Iraq through secret methods
and without passports, and for inciting the Assyrians against the government in various ways. As a result of the trial
and the examination of the reports submitted by the Kirkuk and Mosul police and by the Royal Consulate
of Iraq in Aleppo, and based on the statement of the accused and the discovery during the search of his premises of a military
map named 'Dohuk' numbered O ⟦W. S.⟧ or ⟦W. N.⟧ ⟦B⟧ 137, it appeared
to the Council that the accused is among those Assyrians who oppose the government in various ways, as
he seizes every opportunity to spread harmful propaganda among groups of hostile Assyrians against
the government. He had even been dismissed in the year 936, based on his performance of some movements and misconduct
prejudicial to security, from the oil company in Kirkuk, based on the request of the Governorate
of the Kirkuk District to the company. Accordingly, it was decided unanimously to convict him under the first paragraph of
Article (89) of the Penal Code and sentence him to seven years of hard labor starting
from the date of this decision, and to place him under police supervision for five years after the end of
his sentence, to be spent outside the districts of Mosul and Kirkuk, and to confiscate the map and the presented papers.
The decision was issued according to the first paragraph of Article (89) and Articles 78 and 28 of
the Penal Code, and this was announced publicly on 8 / 8 / 939

Archival unit 7

Please be so kind as to review
⟦signature⟧
5/7
Reviewed and to be filed now
⟦signature⟧
19 / 5

Archival unit 8

M. D. 1
It appears from p. 69 that the Ministry of
Defense considers this convict, Daoud
Ibrahim the Assyrian, to be one of the
advocates for the Assyrian movement, and in
its letter numbered ⟦illegible⟧ what seems ⟦illegible⟧
pardon him <del>from what was decided in his court</del> rather it wants to let him
complete his sentence while preventing him from benefiting
from the Royal mercies. Submitted for your kind
review and orders.
To the file
I. D.
⟦signature⟧
4/2
p. 100
In view of the above and through 5/5/10 see the rise of
the aforementioned in the Assyrian movements and others, confirmed
this person based on what was established in the cases of the Martial Council.
I. D. ⟦signature⟧

Archival unit 9

Brother
To be viewed, please. I did not understand the purpose of what the Ministry of
Defense explained, that it does not see a necessity to issue a special pardon for
the prisoner Daoud Ibrahim, who was sentenced by the Military Martial Council
in Mosul, as long as his sentence was preceded by evidentiary reasons
recorded in its decision, but rather he benefits from the general amnesty
upon its issuance, noting that what it seems to me is that it means not issuing a decree
for his pardon individually.
This Ministry has proceeded in cases of those sentenced
by the Martial Council to obtain a special pardon for the remainder
of their sentence period, and for the purpose of issuing a special
pardon for the remainder of the sentence period for the persons who
were sentenced by the Military Martial Council in Al-Rashid
Camp, it had requested the General Police Directorate
in its letter ⟦S A⟧ / 25 / B / ⟦9⟧ / ⟦(2)⟧ to send forms for all
those sentenced to know what precedents they have
committed, and accordingly, I see waiting for the police's
answer, and when the Ministry intends to submit a request
for exemption, we will return to infer the opinion of Defense, perhaps
it will see no harm in including this person's name
among those decided to request their exemption.
For information, please
⟦signature⟧
1/9

Archival unit 10

Ministry of Defense
Ministry Office
Baghdad
57 / 27
Ministry of Interior of Iraq:
Private Office:
Number: 4545
Date: 27 / 4 / 942
Number D / 11 / 2 / 981
Date 10 Rabi' al-Thani 1361 AH
27 April 1942 AD
To:
Ministry of Interior
Subject - The prisoner Daoud Ibrahim
Reference to your letter numbered P.O / 1298 and dated 2 / 4 / 1942.
This Ministry does not find, as far as it is concerned, a necessity to issue a special pardon for
the prisoner Daoud Ibrahim, who was sentenced by the Military Martial Court in Mosul,
as long as he has already been sentenced by the aforementioned court for evidentiary reasons recorded in its decision, but rather
the aforementioned person shall benefit from the general amnesty when it is issued.
⟦signature⟧
Acting Minister of Defense
⟦signature/mark⟧

Archival unit 11

VC
Note No. 111 .
D. G.
General Bromilow, to whom I had written, told me
yesterday that if we got the man released they would not
object but they ⟦thought⟧ that by writing to them we were trying to
put the responsibility on them. If we must write to Defence,
could we not perhaps say that if we do not hear from them
that there are strong objections for the Military point of
view we will take steps to have him released. Alternatively,
perhaps you could arrange in advance with C.G.S. to reply
that as the matter concerns internal security which is the
responsibility of the Ministry of Interior they express no
opinion and leave it to us to <del>deal</del> ⟦decide⟧.
Intd. C.J.E.
23.3.42.
Director of Police
2/3
Please state ⟦your opinions⟧
Attached is a copy to ⟦the Governor⟧
President of the Military Court
Respected
4/3
Adv.
I have talked with D.G.
Defence, who promised to cause
the case to be reconsidered
properly, H.
A 2/4
Thanks 2/4

Archival unit 12

D.S.
General Hamilton, to whom I had
written, told me yesterday that if we for-
the man released they would not object -
but they thought that by writing to them
we were trying to pass the responsibility on
them. If we must write to Defence, could
we not perhaps say that if we do not hear
from them that there are strong objections for
the military point of view we <del>for</del> will take
steps to have him released. Alternatively perhaps
you could arrange in advance with G.G.S. to
reply that as the matter concerns internal
security - she is the responsibility of
Govt of Iraq. May I please see your
views on this to send
⟦illegible⟧ 23/6

Archival unit 13

Adv (A.A.) ⟦illegible⟧ 22/3
⟦line⟧
To see pl.
⟦illegible⟧
22/3
M of Def.
David Abraham.
Reply to letter disagreeing
to pardon him.
⟦line⟧

Archival unit 14

1281 / Kh
2/4/942
Directorate of Rights
<del>Private Office</del>
- Secret -
Ministry of Defense
Subject - Dawood Ibrahim, convicted by the Military
Martial Court
With reference to your letter numbered M1/ 2/ 11/ MR/ 114 and dated 3/ 3/ 1942.
The crime for which Dawood Ibrahim the Assyrian was accused and sentenced to hard labor
for a period of seven years by the Martial Court in Mosul was conducting harmful propaganda
and encouraging Assyrian refugees in Syria to return to Iraq, while the
Assyrian issue has been fundamentally settled by the government, and there is nothing remaining
at the present time that would lead to the belief that the convict Dawood Ibrahim could carry out a movement or
propaganda harmful to the interests of the country if he were released. This is on one hand, and on the other hand,
many individuals who were sentenced by the Military Martial Court have been covered by
amnesty and released previously.
In view of the above, and based on what has been expressed by both the Mosul Liwa Governorate and the
Directorate of General Police regarding the absence of any objection to the release of the convict Dawood Ibrahim and pardoning him
from the remainder of his sentence, and since his condition warrants sympathy and mercy, we hope to ⟦reconsider⟧ the matter
and inform us of your final opinion in this regard.
⟦signature⟧
Minister of Interior
⟦signature⟧
2/12

Archival unit 15

The Private Office
⟦line⟧ Secret ⟦line⟧
Ministry of Defense
Subject - Daoud Ibrahim, sentenced by the Council
Military Customary
With reference to your letter No. M/11/2/S/114 dated 3/3/1942.
The crime for which the Assyrian Daoud Ibrahim was accused and sentenced to hard labor
for a period of seven years by the Customary Council in Mosul was his conduct of harmful propaganda
and his encouragement of Assyrians displaced to Syria to return to Iraq, whereas the
Assyrian issue has been fundamentally settled by the government, and there is nothing remaining in this regard
at the present time that would lead to the belief that the convict Daoud Ibrahim could carry out a movement or
propaganda that would harm the interests of the country if he were released. This is from one side, and from another side
many people who were sentenced by the Military Customary Council have been covered by
the amnesty and were released previously.
In view of the above, and based on what has been expressed by both the Mosul Governorate and the
Directorate of General Police regarding the absence of any objection to releasing the convict Daoud Ibrahim and exempting him
from the remainder of his sentence, and since his condition calls for sympathy and compassion, we request ⟦reconsidering⟧ the matter
and informing us of your final opinion in this regard.
Minister of Interior
128

Archival unit 17

17 Muharram / 361
14 February / 942
⟦line⟧
5 Kh / 812
Directorate of Rights
— Secret —
Ministry of Defense
Subject — Dawoud Ibrahim, sentenced by
the Military Martial
Council.
⟦line⟧
250
25 / 2 / 1942
With reference to our letter number M Kh / 4678 dated
28 / 6 / 1941 addressed to the Secretariat of the Council of Ministers and a copy
to you:
Dawoud Ibrahim, who was sentenced by the Military Martial Council
in Mosul to hard labor for seven years under Article <del>⟦illegible⟧</del> of the
Baghdadi Penal Code, has submitted a request for exemption from the remainder of his sentence.
We consulted the opinion of the competent authorities, and they indicated that there is no objection to his exemption; we request
you kindly provide your comments on this matter.
Minister of Interior
M W 1
4 / 2 / ⟦illegible⟧
14 / 2
M. D

Archival unit 18

Note No. 33 .
✓
~
D.G.
Has the case of Daud Ibrahim yet come to your notice.
This man was sentenced by the Mosul Court Martial
on 8.8.39 to seven years R.I. to be followed by five years
police supervision - A very savage sentence.
The Government of Rashid Ali pardoned most of the
Court Martial prisoners but the name of Daud Ibrahim was not
included in the list. Since then more persons have, I
understand, been pardoned and released.
Daud Ibrahim was Head Clerk in the Labour Section
of the B.O.D. Both the Fields Manager of the B.O.D. and
the Director of the Labour of the I.P.C. stated that he
is a good worker and that they were willing to re-employ
him.
I understand that both Mutasarrif Mosul and D.G.
Police (after inquiries from C.P. Mosul and Kirkuk) have
stated that they agree to his pardon and release.
He has already served two years and six months
and I think this is quite enough for the fault alleged
against him. I hope that the issue of the pardon can be
expedited.
Intld. C.J.E.
29.1.42.
Mr. Abdullah (Legal Directorate)
You must extract a file for this
person and remind us about him.
⟦illegible⟧
2/1

Archival unit 19

D.S.
27
Has the case of Daud Ibrahim yet been
<del>submitted</del> to come to your notice.
This man was sentenced by the Mosul
Court Martial on 8.8.39 <del>⟦illegible⟧</del> to seven years
R.I. to be followed by 5 years police supervision.
A very savage sentence.
<del>⟦illegible⟧</del>
The Govt of Rashid Ali pardoned most of
the Court Martial prisoners ⟦many of⟧ but Daud Abraham
was not included in the list. Since then
more prisoners have, I understand, been pardoned
and released.
Daud Abraham was <del>⟦illegible⟧</del> head-clerk
in the Labour Section of the B.O.D. Both the
the Fields Manager of the B.O.D. and the Director of the Labour
<del>Office</del> of the I.P.C. stated that he is a good
worker & that they were willing to re-employ
him.
I understand that both Mutasarrif
Mosul & D.G. Police (after inquiries from C.P.
Mosul & Kirkuk) have stated that they
agree to his pardon and release.
He has already served 2 years & 6 months
& I think this is quite enough for the fault
alleged against him. I hope that the
issue of the pardon can be expedited.
⟦illegible⟧ 28/1

Archival unit 20

Special form for suggestions and observations
Ministry of Interior
Competent Department:
Date:
Authority to which it is submitted:
Subject:
I believe that the confiscation of funds should be based
on
Government Press 204 - 4 - 41

Archival unit 21

Secret
On 5 / 1 / 1942
M 2
It is noted that the convict Daoud Ibrahim had
been decided not to be exempted from the remainder of his
sentence as a result of what Mr. ⟦illegible⟧ expressed
one of the members of the discussion that took place in
this department ⟦about him and about the recent information⟧
regarding ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ and knowledge of ⟦illegible⟧
statement of ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
⟦signature⟧
Telephone ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
Arab World Network
In ⟦illegible⟧
The Governorate ⟦illegible⟧

Archival unit 22

64
M D
Request for the pardon of Dawoud Ibrahim the Assyrian for the remainder of his
sentence.
This Assyrian was sentenced to seven years of hard labor on
8/8/1939 by the Martial Court in Mosul according to Article 89 of the Baghdad Penal Code
based on reports received about him from the Mosul Governorate, the Aleppo Consulate, and the General
Police stating that he was conducting harmful propaganda and encouraging Assyrians displaced to Syria to return
to Iraq.
When the proposal to pardon a section of those sentenced by the Military Martial Courts
in Baghdad and Mosul was raised by the Ministry of Defense on 6/15/1941, the name of
this convict appeared within the list which the Defense mentioned it was not inclined to pardon considering
the gravity of their crimes. The Defense later reaffirmed the necessity of excluding this convict from
the pardon during the review for confirming the pardons issued by (the illegal government).
This ministry also supported that (p. 250) of file No. 25/B D/2 (A)
and the matter was concluded.
After that, the brother of the convict submitted a petition to this ministry requesting the pardon of his brother.
Upon requesting the views of the General Police and the Mosul Governorate, they replied to us that there is no objection
to pardoning him. This opinion was issued by the same Governor of Mosul who had proposed on
8/25/1941 not to pardon him (Mr. Tahsin Ali), and the General Police also
concurred with the idea of not granting a pardon.
The opinion that there is no objection to the pardon has now been submitted by the General Police
and the Governorate without clarifying the concise reasons.
These are the facts of the case. If the Ministry sees fit to carry out this pardon, it is necessary
to request the opinion of the Ministry of Defense in the first place, and the opinion of the Ministry of Justice should also be taken.
For your kind order.
⟦initials⟧
11/21
2/2
The Police and Justice refer to the previous position
and also mention not taking this measure
⟦illegible⟧

Archival unit 23

M . D
⟦line⟧
Request for the pardon of Dawud Ibrahim the Assyrian regarding the remainder of his
sentence.
⟦line⟧
This Assyrian had been sentenced to hard labor for a period of seven years on
8/8/1939 by the Martial Court in Mosul according to Article 89 of the Penal Code
based on reports received about him from the Mosul Provincial Administration, the Aleppo Consulate, and the General
Police stating that he was conducting harmful propaganda and encouraging Assyrians displaced to Syria to return
to Iraq.
When the proposal to pardon a segment of those convicted by the Military Martial Courts
in Baghdad and Mosul was raised by the Ministry of Defense on 6/15/1941, the name of
this convict was included within the list that Defense mentioned it was not inclined to pardon given
the gravity of their crimes. Defense returned to support the necessity of excluding this convict from
the pardon during the consideration of confirming the pardons issued by (the illegal government).
This Ministry also supported that (p. 250) from file No. 25 / B D / 2 (2)
and the case was closed.
After that, the brother of the convict submitted a petition to this Ministry requesting his brother's pardon.
Upon requesting the views of the General Police and the Mosul Provincial Administration, they replied that there is no objection
to pardoning him. This opinion was issued by the same Governor of Mosul who had proposed on
8/25/1941 not to pardon him (Mr. Tahsin Ali), and the General Police had also been
in agreement with the idea of not granting the pardon.
The opinion that there is no objection to the pardon has now been submitted by the General Police
and the Provincial Administration without explanation, as a brief recommendation.
These are the documents of the case. If the Ministry deems it appropriate to carry out this pardon, it is necessary
to request the opinion of the Ministry of Defense in the first place, and the opinion of the Ministry of Justice should also be taken.
Submitted for your kind orders ⟦line⟧
21 / 1

Archival unit 24

62
M. D. D.
Tayeb Anad Daoud Ibrahim
The Assyrian ⟦...⟧ unemployed for a while
Place of his religion
Your predecessor requested regarding this Assyrian hard labor
for a period of seven years on 8/29/8 by
the Martial Council in Al-Sadr according to Article 89 of the P.C.B.
Based on the reports received about him from the Al-Sadr Security Directorate
and the Aleppo formations and the General Police that he is conducting propaganda
counter-activities and encouraging Assyrians displaced to Syria with sincerity
and aggression.
Urgent
To be released
⟦illegible⟧
11/11
Accordingly, a proposal to exempt Duha from the Council by
the Military Martial Council at his home on 6/10/911 and these formalities
And the Defense decided on the date of Defense that their exemption does not include
the convict within the article mentioned. The Defense returned and supported
with a decision the plan of their crimes. The Council returned in the course of considering
the necessity of continuing this convict's deportation in the explanation, so it supported
the support of the considerations that issued [the convict in the explanation] and supported
this same administration also ⟦...⟧ in the duty in completed
5/ B / D / 2 (2). And the result ended.
Accordingly, the convict's brother was taken to his narrow path
Defense requesting the exemption of his brother and requested the file of files
The General Police and the Al-Sadr Directorate replied that there is no objection

Archival unit 25

64
- 2 -
from exempting him. This opinion was issued from the same office of
the Sadr which had suggested on 8/25/97 not to
exempt him ⟦and bases it on⟧ just as its previous participation was
consistent with the idea of non-exemption.
The opinion that there is no objection to the exemption has been
made now by the General Police and the الملفية without explaining
brief reasons.
These are the facts of the case, so if the Ministry
sees fit to carry out this exemption, it is necessary to request the opinion of Defense
in the first degree, and it also appears that the opinion of Justice
is also ⟦overruled⟧ now.