A suicide bomber detonated a vest loaded with explosives at a Shiite funeral in eastern Baghdad on Wednesday , killing at least 32 people and wounding 34 others, police and ambulance officials said.
The explosion took place in Baghdad's eastern Zayouna neighborhood, a mixed Shiite and Sunni district, the officials said on customary condition of anonymity.
The funeral was being held for Nabil Hussein Jassim, a retired army officer who had been killed in a car bombing in downtown Baghdad's Tayaran Square on Friday. That blast left at least 14 people dead.
In another development, the government sent to the parliament speaker a draft bill today for an amnesty for some detainees being held in Iraqi prisons, government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said.
The bill excludes those held in US custody and those imprisoned for a variety of crimes ranging from terrorism, kidnapping and rape to antiquities smuggling, adultery and homosexuality. It also excludes senior figures of the former Baath regime.
If passed in its current form, the bill could see some 5,000 prisoners released, al-Dabbagh said. The Iraqi government has about 20,000 people in custody, while the US military holds about 25,000.
{{/usCountry}}If passed in its current form, the bill could see some 5,000 prisoners released, al-Dabbagh said. The Iraqi government has about 20,000 people in custody, while the US military holds about 25,000.
{{/usCountry}}Sunni parliamentarians have criticised the draft for its limited scope. They have argued that most prisoners are charged with terrorist crimes, rendering the bill ineffective. Some also fear referring the bill to Iraq's gridlocked parliament will actually delay prisoner releases.