Well-known Iraqi actor, Karar Noshi, has reportedly been kidnapped and murdered, with his body found in central Baghdad.
Local news site Kurdistan24 alleges that the actor's body was left on the busy Palestine Street in the centre of Baghdad, saying that there was "strong evidence" that he had been stabbed and tortured. Images of his body were reportedly circulated online.
Noshi was known for his effeminate appearance, and received strong abuse from online trolls, who called him 'the beauty king of Iraq'.
Noshi had previously responded to the nickname by saying that the true "beauty king" of Iraq was "every young man fighting with all his honor to defend the nation".
“As for the pictures, they are from theatrical and cinematic works of art, which I pride myself on,” said Noshi. "I cherish my personal freedom to build a unique external appearance. I remain silent about the abusive responses that undoubtedly reflect the level of their writers.”
Local reports also indicate that Noshi had been aware of previous threats towards him, but had no intention of stopping the way he chose to express himself.
A US-based human rights activist from Iraq, Faisal Al Mutar, spoke out on Facebook about Noshi's reported death, saying it was clear he had been murdered for being gay.
Despite receiving regular abuse and accusations of being homosexual, Noshi never publicly spoke out about his sexuality.
