"Amnesty" reveals: Iranian bombs kill demonstrators in Iraq
November 15, 2019, 10:19 am

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"Amnesty" reveals: Iranian bombs kill demonstrators in Iraq

An Iraqi protester escapes gas bombs

After communicating with several Iraqi sources and conducting researches and investigations on the ground, Amnesty International said that some of the tear gas bombs used by security forces, especially riot police, kill protesters rather than disperse them in Baghdad. Those bombs originated in Iran and Bulgaria.

A previous report published by the organization on 31 October revealed the heinous deaths of many protesters because of these bombs which penetrated their skulls.

The previous report pointed out two models of "deadly bombs" used by Iraqi forces: the 40 mm Serbian M99S manufactured by the Balkan Novotech company and the 40 mm LV CS bombs presumably manufactured by the Bulgarian Arsenal company.

Typical tear gas bombs used by the police are 37 mm in diameter and weigh 25 and 50 grams. They consist of several smaller packages that separate and spread over an area.

In contrast, Serbian and Bulgarian military bombs used by security forces, 40 mm in diameter and documented in Baghdad, consist of a single heavy alloy which is 5 to 10 times heavier and weigh 220 to 250 grams.

Both police and military bombs are fired at a similar burst speed, which means they travel in the air at the same speed. Bombs, which are 10 times heavier, are 10 times more powerful when they hit a protester. That is why they have caused such horrific injuries.

Iranian bombs

The new update, released after further investigation on the bombs and video footage of protesters' injuries, said that in addition to Serbian bombs, "a large part of the deadly projectiles are actually M651 tear gas and M713 smoke bombs." They are manufactured by Iranian Defence Industries Organization (DIO).

It pointed out that the Bulgarian company "Arsenal" sold bombs and other weapons to Iraq including smoke bombs. Such bombs are thrown by hand and were used during the recent protests in Baghdad.

Meanwhile, the organization noted that it does not have information about the identity of the bombers in Baghdad.

Since the investigations concluded that the bombs had caused the death of at least 5 protesters within 5 days, Amnesty International called in its report on the Iraqi authorities to ensure that the riot police and other security forces in Baghdad immediately stop using two types of tear gas, not previously used, that kill protesters instead of dispersing them.

Horrendous fatalities

"All evidence indicates that Iraqi security forces used these military bombs against protesters in Baghdad, apparently targeting their heads or body directly at close range," said Lynn Maalouf, Middle East research director at Amnesty International.

"This has had devastating consequences, in many cases piercing the skulls of the victims, resulting in horrific wounds and death after the bombs having penetrated their heads."

The organization interviewed nine witnesses - including protesters and medical volunteers - who described police use of tear gas canisters near Tahrir Square in Baghdad between 25 to 29 October.

Witnesses described how riot police used tear gas grenades earlier in October, but started firing grenades around 25 October. Deaths and injuries have significantly increased since then.

Several witnesses said that up to 10 bombs, referred to by protesters as "smoke", were fired at the same time in crowded areas emitting smoke that smells distinct from that of any other tear gas bombs they had ever seen.

One of the protesters told Amnesty International, "One of them (smoke) landed near me, and I could barely breathe. I felt like my chest had crashed. Medical volunteers gave me a ventilator. I thought I was going to die. I've suffered from tear gas inhalation before but I didn't feel the same. ”

Another protester told Amnesty International that his friend was killed after he had been hit in the head by a bomb on 28 October. He added that he personally witnessed another death and injury due to the use of those bombs by security forces on 26 October.

He said, "I saw (smoke) hit a man in his waist. It burned and torn his clothes. The bomb came from about 150-200 meters. He fell in place and we dragged him to the tuk-tuk. I saw another man who was badly injured in the shoulder. I didn't see the moment of the crash but he was screaming hard."

Another protester described how a man, who was hit by a bomb that pierced his skull, immediately fell to the ground and smoke came out of his head.

Medical volunteers also described how bombs were fired directly at areas crowded with peaceful protesters, causing fainting or suffocation among the crowds including children.

"They fired directly at the crowds; not in the air, but directly at the people. It’s brutal, " said one participant.

Video footage evidence

Amnesty International announced that it has found several online videos, verified and geolocated. The footage was filmed between October 25 and 29 in areas near Tahrir Square in central Baghdad—a major site of protests.

These videos showed five men who had suffered a severe head injury apparently from the bombs. In a video filmed on 25 October, on the north-eastern side of the Republic Bridge, an unconscious or dead protester can be seen with a visible wound in the back of his skull emitting smoke or gas.

The same effects can be seen in another video filmed on the same day and in the same place - here is another protester with a similar wound to the right of his skull.

Amnesty International has also received CT images from medical personnel in Baghdad confirming deaths from severe head bumping. The horrific injuries in all these images are the result of full bombs dug in the skulls of the victims.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.