Zahraa Ali (Arabic: زهراء علي), known professionally by her online alias Jawan, is an Iraqi social media influencer and TikTok content creator. She rose to prominence in the early 2020s through short-form videos characterized by a bold and provocative style, amassing hundreds of thousands of followers on platforms like TikTok. On December 3, 2025, Ali was arrested in Baghdad by Iraqi authorities on charges of publishing indecent content contrary to public morals, sparking debates on digital expression in Iraq.
Early Life and Background
Little verified information is publicly available about Ali’s early life or personal background. She is identified as an Iraqi national based in Baghdad, where she began creating content for social media in the years leading up to 2025.
Career
Ali emerged as a notable figure on TikTok over the past two years, gaining popularity for her short videos that featured daring and attention-grabbing elements, including partial undressing and provocative poses. These clips were described by authorities as appealing to a wide audience but crossing into territory deemed “indecent” and “contrary to public taste.” Her content contributed to her rapid follower growth, positioning her among Iraq’s prominent digital influencers amid a broader surge in social media usage in the region.
Arrest and Legal Issues
On the evening of December 3, 2025, Iraqi security forces, acting on recommendations from the Ministry of Interior’s Indecent Content Committee, arrested Ali in Baghdad. The charges stem from her alleged publication of material violating public morals on social media sites, including TikTok. This action is part of an ongoing Iraqi government campaign to curb the digital dissemination of provocative content, which has intensified in late 2025.
As of December 7, 2025, Ali remains in custody pending further investigation. No trial date has been announced, and details on potential penalties—such as fines or imprisonment under Iraq’s cybercrime laws—remain unspecified in official reports. The case has fueled public discourse on the balance between freedom of expression and cultural norms in Iraq’s evolving digital landscape.
