DUBAI: Iraq has released the commander of the Popular Mobilisation Forces militia (PMF), also known as Al-Hashd Al-Sha’abi, Qassim Musleh, news TV channel Al-Arabiya reported.

The leader was arrested on May 26 by troops from the country’s Ministry of Interior over extremism charges.

Earlier on Tuesday, there were conflicting reports about the release of Musleh. Sources close to the PMF said the country “released Musleh due to lack of evidence.”

But a government official told Middle East daily Asharq Al-Awsat that “the decision has not yet been issued…maybe within days,” without denying the validity of the release.

Some PMF sources confirmed their willingness to receive the released commander in Karbala. But other sources spoke of a quarrel between senior government leaders and PMF parties that led to the postponement of Musleh’s release.

As of late Tuesday evening, neither the government nor the judiciary issued an official comment regarding Musleh, and the PMF platforms did not broadcast pictures of the leader after his release.

Musleh is the leader of a militia responsible for carrying out attacks against Iraqi people and the US mission in Iraq.