Popular TikToker Om Fahad was murdered in her car in Iraq on Friday, prompting an investigation by the interior ministry.
The TikToker who became a sensation in Iraq was shot outside her home in Baghdad, security officials said.
According to what is known, Om Fahad was shot by an unknown person while the influencer was in her car in the Zayouna area.
The attacker, who arrived at the scene on a motorcycle, allegedly pretended to deliver food before shooting Om Fahad.
Another woman, according to the Al Hurra news agency, was injured during the attack.
An expert task force has since been set up to investigate the circumstances leading to Om Fahad’s murder, according to the interior ministry.
The influencer had become known for light-hearted videos on TikTok, in which she was depicted dancing to Iraqi music and wearing skimpy clothes.
The “hunt” of influencers
She was recently embroiled in a controversy with influencer Dalia Naeem, also known as ‘Iraqi Barbie’, over plastic surgery. She had threatened to reveal her alleged relationship with security officials, according to the BBC.
It was in February 2023 that a court sentenced Om Fahad (real name Ghufran Sawadi) to six months in prison for sharing videos containing obscene speech that undermines modesty and public morality.
Last year he was jailed as the Iraqi government launched a campaign to clean up social media content it said violated Iraqi customs and traditions.
A home ministry committee had been set up to investigate TikTok, YouTube and other platforms for videos it deemed offensive.
“This type of content is no less dangerous than organized crime,” the ministry said in a promotional video asking the public to help by reporting such content.
“It is one of the causes of the destruction of the Iraqi family and society,” they emphasized.
Since then several influencers have been arrested according to the authorities.
