Killing of Islamic State expert in Baghdad reveals cost of speaking out

Hisham al-Hashimi backed action to tackle Iraqi's powerful militias, despite knowing risks

As Hisham al-Hashimi pulled up outside his Baghdad home on Monday night, a gunman strode purposefully towards the Iraqi official's white four-wheel drive, drew a pistol and fired four shots through the driver's window.

Each jolting flash was captured by security footage from a camera on al-Hashimi's roof. So was the hitman's escape on the back of a nearby motorbike, and the helpless vigil of his four young children as their father's body was dragged on to the driveway.