ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – An Iraqi court has issued an arrest warrant for Kurdish Vice President Kosrat Rasul for describing the Iraqi forces in Kirkuk as “invaders,” Iraqi State TV reported on Thursday.
It was reported that he would be charged with article 226 of the Iraqi penal code that carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison for publicly insulting Iraqi forces.
VP Rasul was in Kirkuk when the Iraqi forces attacked the oil-rich city on Monday. Dozens of his Peshmerga forces were killed.
He described the Iraqi military operation in Kirkuk as another Anfal or Kurdish genocide.
President Masoud Barzani has issued a statement condemning the arrest warrant.
The court’s decision “is political and it clearly shows what the ruling mentality in Baghdad is like. Should a nation be collectively punished for expressing their opinion peacefully? Should a person be arrested for expressing his own opinion? It is this mentality that explains why no one can live with them,” Barzani stated.
He said those in Baghdad are free to make what decisions they choose, “but they should know that they cannot and they don’t have the right to arrest a patriot like Mr. Kosrat and other patriots.”
The same court, the Rusafa Investigation Court in Baghdad, issued a warrant for the arrest of Kirkuk Governor Najmaldin Karim in September after his support for Kurdistan, including raising the Kurdistan flag and supporting the independence referendum.
It was reported that he would be charged with article 226 of the Iraqi penal code that carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison for publicly insulting Iraqi forces.
VP Rasul was in Kirkuk when the Iraqi forces attacked the oil-rich city on Monday. Dozens of his Peshmerga forces were killed.
He described the Iraqi military operation in Kirkuk as another Anfal or Kurdish genocide.
President Masoud Barzani has issued a statement condemning the arrest warrant.
The court’s decision “is political and it clearly shows what the ruling mentality in Baghdad is like. Should a nation be collectively punished for expressing their opinion peacefully? Should a person be arrested for expressing his own opinion? It is this mentality that explains why no one can live with them,” Barzani stated.
He said those in Baghdad are free to make what decisions they choose, “but they should know that they cannot and they don’t have the right to arrest a patriot like Mr. Kosrat and other patriots.”
The same court, the Rusafa Investigation Court in Baghdad, issued a warrant for the arrest of Kirkuk Governor Najmaldin Karim in September after his support for Kurdistan, including raising the Kurdistan flag and supporting the independence referendum.
Kurdish VP accuses certain PUK leaders of fall of Kirkuk, calls them 'apostates'
Updated at 8:38 pm, adding statement from President Masoud Barzani
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