Iraqi novelist arrested in the UAE

Iraqi novelist Wared Bader al-Salem was arrested few days ago in the UAE after being invited to participate in the Arab Media Forum, held in Dubai on the 3rd and 4th of April 2018 under the auspices of UAE Vice President Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Family sources affirmed that al-Salem has mysteriously disappeared after reaching Dubai airport two weeks ago.

Iraqi Culture Ministry expressed deep concern over al-Salem’s arrest, saying that contacts are made with its Emirati counterpart to follow up the issue.

A group of Iraqi novelists have earlier issued a statement, strongly condemning al-Salem’s arrest and calling for his immediate release.