ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - A leaked audio recording allegedly of Iraqi lawmaker Abdulhadi al-Hasnawi has stirred widespread anger in Najaf after it appeared to contain threats against protesters. Hasnawi, a member of parliament representing the province, has denied the authenticity of the clip.

The recording, which began circulating late Sunday on social media and local news outlets, includes a voice threatening to “cut off the ears of protesters in Najaf” if demonstrations continue, fuelling widespread accusations that the individual in question was Hasnawi.

The threat comes after recent protests in the Haydariyah area of Najaf over worsening public services and long electricity outages.

Shortly after the clip went viral, a Facebook page named “Abdulhadi al-Abbasi al-Hasnawi” posted a video showing a group of people firing guns in the air inside what appeared to be Hasnawi’s guesthouse. The caption with the video read, “Beware the calm man when he’s angry… Not every time will pass without punishment,” followed by the hashtag "#BaniHasanTribe."

The video and audio drew strong criticism from protesters.

“What happened cannot be justified as tribal or social behavior,” said protester Ahmed al-Haydari in an interview with The New Region. “Is a member of parliament supposed to rely on weapons and tribal power instead of law and the people?”

He added that the gunfire video “confirms that the threatening audio and this show of force are connected. This isn’t just talk, it could turn into real violence.”

Another protester, Mohammed Aqid, called the message a direct threat to the people.

“This isn’t just words, it’s an attack on the rights of the people demanding better services,” he told The New Region. “It’s a clear attempt to scare the public instead of listening to their needs.”

In response, Hasnawi’s media office released a statement denying the claims. The office said the leaked recording was “fabricated” and edited to harm the MP’s reputation ahead of elections.

“The audio was clearly spliced,” the statement read. “Up to the 19-second mark, the speaker talks about electricity issues. After that, the phrase ‘cut off ears’ was taken from a separate private tribal matter. It has nothing to do with the protests.”

The office accused opponents of trying to mislead the public by combining two unrelated conversations and using them for political attacks. “This is a clear attempt to twist the truth and damage Hasnawi’s image,” the statement said.

Protests in Najaf are ongoing, with residents demanding better electricity, water, and other basic services. Local leaders and activists have called for peaceful demonstrations and warned against any acts of violence.