An Iraqi court has sentenced a man to 15 years in prison for the kidnapping of American journalist Shelly Kittleson earlier this year, according to judicial authorities. The kidnapping occurred on March 31 in Baghdad during a period of heightened conflict in the Middle East.

Kittleson was abducted by Kataeb Hezbollah, a powerful armed group backed by Iran, but was released just hours before a ceasefire was reached between the United States and Iran. At the time of the abduction, Iraqi security forces detained a member of the group.

On Sunday, a criminal court convicted Amir Rahim Jabbar under Iraq’s anti-terrorism law for the crime of kidnapping. A judicial source confirmed the sentence’s legitimacy, while a Kataeb Hezbollah representative acknowledged the verdict against one of its members.

This case highlights ongoing challenges in Iraq related to militia activity and the protection of journalists operating in the region amidst continuing regional tensions.