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The death of Iraqi psychiatrist Dr. Ban Ziyad on Aug. 4 at her family home in Basra has sparked widespread controversy in Iraq, amid growing doubts over the claim that her death was a suicide.
Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council issued an official report on Monday regarding the death of Ziyad, stating that she had been under severe psychological pressure, which led to her taking her own life, according to a statement released by the Iraqi News Agency (INA).
The report added that her parents did not file any complaints against anyone, and the investigation into the incident has now been closed.
These developments came after widespread circulation on social media of news about Ziyad’s death.
She was found in her home with deep cuts on her arms caused by a sharp object, raising questions about the reason for her suicide despite her being a mental health specialist.
Dr. Ziyad, who had over 100,000 followers on Instagram, regularly offered mental health advice to her audience.
Security authorities initially confirmed that the incident was a suicide, noting that the family reported she had been struggling with psychological disorders.
Her mother stated, “My daughter reached this stage due to psychological pressure,” while her father mentioned that she had written in her diary: “I want God with her blood, I want God.”
The official narrative was met with skepticism by some of Ban's colleagues, who described her as a balanced individual and questioned the suicide theory.
The controversy intensified after initial photos of the victim’s body showed bruises on her neck, face, and body, prompting some to suggest the possibility that she may have been murdered.
Speculation arose that her brother might have been involved in the incident, following reports of previous disputes between them, and he was questioned as part of the investigation. The case also triggered widespread reactions on social media, with calls for the full truth to be revealed.
Authorities later intervened, with the Interior Ministry confirming that an investigative committee had been dispatched to Basra in coordination with the judiciary.
Meanwhile, an Iraqi parliament member submitted an official letter to the investigating judge highlighting alleged irregularities in the investigation. These included the disabling of surveillance cameras in the house before and after the incident, the presence of bruises suggesting possible strangulation, and reports indicating her brother’s drug use. Despite these concerns, the family quickly labeled the death a suicide and initially refused to allow a forensic examination.
The case of Dr. Ban Ziyad has become a matter of public debate in Iraq, with ongoing questions about whether she took her own life or was murdered, and to what extent her family or other parties may have concealed key facts about the incident.
Women's rights organizations in Iraq condemned the incident, saying that this isn’t the first time a voice has been silenced in Iraq under suspicious circumstances. And every time, the truth is blurred, investigations are delayed, and the public is told to move on.
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