US envoy discusses Duhok detainees with PM Barzani

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — In a meeting with the prime minister of the Kurdistan Region, a visiting American delegation discussed press freedom and the case of five journalists and activists from Duhok who have been jailed on security charges, including allegations stemming from contact with US diplomatic staff.

Prime Minister Masrour Barzani told Joey Hood, acting assistant secretary for Near Eastern affairs, that the trial of the Duhok activists and journalists was a legal matter.

He said that “the illegal acts of the detainees and the misuse of their relations does not at all arouse suspicion about the diplomatic parties. The Kurdistan Regional Government values the work of the diplomats inside the Region and offers all facilitation necessary,” according to a statement from his office.

Sherwan Sherwani, Shvan Saeed, Ayaz Karam, Hariwan Issa, and Guhdar Zebari were convicted on charges of endangering the security of the Kurdistan Region. According to court documents made public earlier this month, the allegations against them include contacts with and receiving funds from the American and German consulates. 

The US consulate issued a statement after the court ruling, saying it expects the KRG to “respect the work of US diplomats” who meet with a variety of people in the course of their job. The German consulate criticized the court’s decision and appealed to President Nechirvan Barzani to issue a pardon.

Hood also met with President Barzani on Sunday. They discussed Erbil-Baghdad relations, upcoming Iraqi elections, and the situation in Syria, according to a statement from the president’s office.

This is Hood’s second visit to Erbil this month. He was part of a delegation headed by US Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk that met with Kurdish leaders on May 5.