[6] In 2020, during an interview with the Alwalaa channel, Alsaffar described himself as a cross-dresser, stating that: "I’m not transgender and I’m not gay.
[7] At the time of his murder in 2023, Alsaffar had over 370,000 followers on TikTok and Instagram, which were mostly used to post beauty and Get Ready With Me content.
[8] Alsaffar's killing took place during the day, and was recorded on neighbouring CCTV.
[10] The shooting is one of several targeted attacks on social media personalities in Iraq, some of whom were identified as members of LGBTQ+ communities.
[11] It is part of a wider increase in homophobia and transphobia in Iraq, which includes the burning of the rainbow flag,[8] a ban on media organisations in using the term 'homosexuality' - stipulating that 'sexual deviance' should be used instead,[12] the criminalisation of same-sex relationships,[13] and the deliberate digital targeting of LGBTQ+ people.