The SRSG strongly condemns the assassination of a second Iraqi candidate

“The contest must proceed peacefully. It is utterly unacceptable that political rivalry in the run-up to the elections should be expressed through violence, intimidations, harassment and threats”, said Mr. de Mistura.

Mr. Haytham al-Husseini, a candidate for the Dawlat al-Qanoon (State of Law) list composed of Islamic Dawa Party, the Dawa Party – Iraq Organisation, the Islamic Solidarity List, Feyli Kurds, the Islamic Union for Iraqi Turkmen and the Independents Bloc, was killed on January 16 2009 in an armed attack northeast of the city of Hilla in Babel province, and four of his companions were wounded.