The highest Shiite authority in Iraq, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, has publicly denounced the seizure of lands belonging to Iraqi citizens in the upscale Jadriya neighborhood of Baghdad by influential entities that operate outside the bounds of the law. Sistani’s denunciation follows the formation of a probe committee by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani last week. The committee was formed in response to public outcries from citizens who appeared on television programs and video clips.