DUBAI, UAE - The owner of a wedding hall in Iraq's Nineveh province was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Wednesday for negligence that led to a devastating fire in September 2023, killing 122 people and injuring 82 others.

The Nineveh Criminal Court convicted Samir Suleiman Karumi Raffo Aso, owner of the Al-Haytham wedding hall in the Hamdaniya district, “under Article 343/3 of Iraq’s Penal Code.”

 The court ruled his “negligence caused the fire,” which spread rapidly due to flammable construction materials and the absence of safety measures.

The fire erupted on September 26, 2023, when fireworks were ignited during a wedding celebration attended by more than 900 guests. The blaze killed the bride's parents and dozens of others, and injured many more in what became known as the “Al-Hamdaniya Wedding Tragedy.”

Judge Jamal Dawood Qaro Al-Sanjari presided over the case, which concluded on Wednesday.

The tragedy highlighted critical shortcomings in Iraq’s enforcement of safety standards.

 Following the fire, investigators reported that the building materials used in the hall were highly flammable and that basic fire safety protocols were not in place.

The sentence underscores the government’s intent to hold individuals accountable for lapses in public safety. Still, survivors and families of the victims continue to demand stricter regulations to prevent similar disasters.