Rudaw Condemns Violent Attack on Its Reporters in Erbil, Rojava

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region—Rudaw Media Network condemns an attack on its reporters by a mob of protesters while covering pro-Kobane demonstrations in the center of Erbil, capital of the Kurdistan Region, on Wednesday.

Muhammad Izzadin, Hejar Argushi and Zardasht Khan, a Rudaw TV crew were seriously wounded by a group of protesters who attacked them with knives and rocks.

The crew were rescued by Erbil police and rushed to hospital to receive treatment.

The network identified the attackers as supporters of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), the dominant Kurdish party in Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava).

“Rudaw holds the authorities of the Rojava autonomous cantons, the PYD, and the Turkish government responsible for the safety of its reporters in all parts of Kurdistan,” said Rudaw Media Network.

In a statement shortly after in the incident, Rudaw said that it will seek legal action against the attackers.

“We also assure our audience that we will continue our work professionally and away from any political bias,” it said.

Metro Center for Defending Journalists condemned the attack on the Rudaw TV crew, saying, “All parties should prevent these kinds of violations that are against all domestic and international laws.”

“Under no excuse violence should be used against journalists,” said Metro Center in a statement.

Rudaw Media Network said that Wednesday’s attack on its crew was part of a series of similar attacks and threats against its reporters in Rojava in the past two years.

“This is not the first time Rudaw reporters are threatened,” said the network management.

The network also said that in the past several months its reporters have been threatened in different European cities and in Turkey, including Diyarbakir and Istanbul, and expelled from public events.

The network urged members of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK)—with close ties to the PYD—local as well as international press organizations to respect the rights of its reporters.

Rudaw Condemns Violent Attack on Its Reporters in Erbil, Rojava

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