{
  "id": 4665024,
  "title": "Iraq sentences kidnapper of US journalist to 15 years in prison",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/iraq-sentences-kidnapper-of-us-journalist-to-15-years-in-prison",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-31T15:11:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2026/08/1523000/iraq-sentences-kidnapper-us-journalist-15-years-prison"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "BAGHDAD - An Iraqi criminal court has sentenced a member of the Iran-backed group Kataeb Hezbollah to 15 years in prison for the kidnapping of American journalist Shelly Kittleson, according to a judicial source. The kidnapping occurred on March 31 during a period of heightened conflict in the Middle East. Kittleson was released just hours before the United States and Iran reached a ceasefire agreement. The judge ruled against Amir Rahim Jabbar under an anti-terrorism law. The kidnapping incident occurred at a time when Iraq was grappling with security issues related to pro-Iran armed groups, which are designated as terrorist organizations by the United States. The Iraqi government, led by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, is actively working to disarm these groups and ensure their weapons are handed over to the state. Despite the decrease in kidnappings and attempted abductions in recent years, several pro-Iran armed groups, including Kataeb Hezbollah, have refused to disarm. One such group, Kataeb Hezbollah, recently accused the new Iraqi government of making provocative and irresponsible actions.",
  "summary": "BAGHDAD: Iraq’s judiciary has sentenced a man to 15 years in prison for the kidnapping of an American journalist who was abducted earlier this year by a powerful Iran-backed group, a judicial source said Monday.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Iraq sentences kidnapper of US journalist Shelly Kittleson to 15 years: What to know",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/iraq-sentences-kidnapper-of-us-journalist-shelly-kittleson-to-15",
        "published": "2026-08-31T15:39:49.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}