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Moment Iraqi TikToker is shot dead by gunman as pics show bullet-riddled car

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The influencer was sentenced to jailed last year for
The influencer was sentenced to jailed last year for 'morality offences'

HORROR footage captured the moment a popular Iraqi TikTok star was shot dead in her car by a gunman posing as a delivery driver.

Om Fahad, whose real name is Ghufran Sawadi, was killed outside her home in Baghdad and grim pictures have emerged revealing her bullet-ridden car.

Om Fahad was gunned down outside her home by an assailant on a motorbike qhiqqxixdiqzeprw
Om Fahad was gunned down outside her home by an assailant on a motorbikeCredit: AFP
The moment the attacker storms towards the victim's car
The moment the attacker storms towards the victim's car
The gunmen opens the door of the car and shoots three times
The gunmen opens the door of the car and shoots three timesCredit: X/@SkyNews
Bullet holes in the glass surround Fahad's body
Bullet holes in the glass surround Fahad's bodyCredit: X

CCTV footage showed the gunmen arriving on a motorbike and riding past the victim's vehicle to park it by a wall nearby.

Then the attacker suggested he was walking away when he suddenly began running to the vehicle and firing multiple shots with a pistol into the car.

He then ran and sped off on his bike.

Putin accused of surrounding himself with same 'actors' at series of eventsPutin accused of surrounding himself with same 'actors' at series of events

Photos shows Fahad's body - dressed in a black robe - slumped in the front seat and three bullet holes in the car's window.

An Iraqi security source said the attacker was pretending to deliver food to the victim when he gunned her down.

Fahad's assistant Nour al Suwaidi was also injured in the shooting.

An investigation is now underway into killing.

The influencer, who had nearly half a million TikTok followers, become known for light-hearted videos of herself dancing to Iraqi music wearing tight-fitting clothes.

The Iraqi government launched a campaign last year to clean up social media content that it said breached the country's "morals and traditions".

An interior ministry committee was established to scour TikTok, YouTube and other platforms for clips it deemed offensive.

The influencer had nearly half a million followers on TikTok
The influencer had nearly half a million followers on TikTokCredit: TikTok
She frequently posted glamorous pictures of herself and was convicted last year of 'indecency'
She frequently posted glamorous pictures of herself and was convicted last year of 'indecency'Credit: TikTok
The gunman flees the scene after gunning down Fahad
The gunman flees the scene after gunning down Fahad

In February 2023, Fahad was sentenced to six months in prison for sharing videos that a court ruled contained "indecent speech that undermines modesty and public morality".

Several other high-profile influencers have since been arrested, according to authorities.

Just days after Fahad's sentencing, another TikTok star who goes by Assal Hossam received an even harsher sentence of two years.

Edinburgh Hogmanay revellers stuck in queues for TWO HOURS in torrential rainEdinburgh Hogmanay revellers stuck in queues for TWO HOURS in torrential rain

Despite years of war and sectarian conflict after the US invasion in 2003 to overthrow Saddam Hussein, Iraq has returned to some semblance of normality.

But civil liberties -- for women, sexual minorities and other groups -- remain constrained in the conservative society.

In eerily similar circumstances model and influencer Tara Fares, 22, was shot dead in her car by gunmen in Baghdad in 2018.

It comes as neighbouring Iran is also facing a terrifying crackdown by its brutal so-called "morality police".

Earlier this week, it was announced that well-known Iranian rapper, Toomaj Salehi, 33, had been sentenced to death for supporting the anti-regime protests.

The musician had used his songs to publicly back the wave of  "Women, Life, Freedom" demonstrations triggered by the death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini.

Amini died in the custody of Tehran's morality police after being arrested for violating Iran's hijab rules.

Salehi's music bravely criticised the leadership of Iran, railing against their corruption and crackdowns on dissent.

He was sentenced in 2023 to six years and three months in prison, but avoided a death sentence due to a Supreme Court ruling.

But this week, he was sentenced to be hanged, sparkling international protests calling for his release.

The TikTok sensation was killed in chillingly similar circumstances to another influencer in 2018
The TikTok sensation was killed in chillingly similar circumstances to another influencer in 2018Credit: AFP
An Iraqi court said in 2023 she had violated 'public morality' laws
An Iraqi court said in 2023 she had violated 'public morality' lawsCredit: TikTok

Iona Cleave

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