Baghdad, December 15 (RHC)-- In Iraq, thousands of anti-government protesters have gathered in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square to demand the nationwide protest movement in Iraq remain peaceful, and to condemn the brutal killing of a teenager Thursday.  

The 16-year-old was stabbed to death, and his body was strung up from a traffic pole, after rumors circulated that he had killed a number of anti-government demonstrators. 

It appears he had actually fired a gun into the air to try to convince demonstrators to stop protesting near his family’s home.  Police officers stood by during the teenager’s killing and allowed it to take place.  The leaders of the ongoing protests quickly condemned the attack.

Meanwhile, the United Nations has condemned the Iraqi government for killing, arresting and abducting anti-government protesters during the ongoing demonstrations. Security forces and militias have killed over 400 protesters, and human rights advocates say a number of prominent activists have been disappeared.