Iraq: political crisis escalating after Maliki detains senior Sunni MP

Thousands of people in Fallujah staged a demonstration protesting the arrest of Dr. Ahmed al-Alawani, Chairman of the Iraqi Parliament Economy Commission by Maliki’s military forces. According to a report aired by al-Arabiya TV, al-Anbar tribes gave Maliki a 12-hour deadline to release al-Alawani.
The al-Kerama Faction announced the arrest of Ahmed al-Alawani is equivalent to a hostage-taking and neglecting people’s rights and the constitution. The Iraqi Parliament Security and Defense Commission warned of dangerous consequences resulting from al-Alawani’s arrest and the summary execution of his brother.
On the other hand, Iraqi MP Walid al-Mohamedi, a senior member of the United Coalition, described the arrest of Ahmed al-Alawani as a violation of the constitution because he enjoys parliamentary immunity. He called for al-Alawani’s release and an immediate investigation to be conducted into this matter.