ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – A senior official from the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) on Friday called on judicial authorities to release seven journalists and activists from Duhok province who were charged with national security offences.
"I hope Kurdistan's judicial authorities review their ruling about sentencing the Badinan detainees. I hope this review will lead to the return of the detainees to their families," Adham Barzani said on his Facebook page. Badinan refers to Duhok province.
Barzani has held several positions in the ranks of the KDP and is the cousin of KDP leader and former president of the Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani.
On Monday, seven people from Duhok, including two journalists, were put on trial in Erbil for “endangering the national security of the Kurdistan Region.” Five of the defendants – Sherwan Sherwani, Shvan Saeed, Ayaz Karam, Hariwan Issa, and Guhdar Zebari – were found guilty and on Tuesday were sentenced to six years in jail. The two remaining cases are still before the court.
The cases have received both local and international attention. The United States embassy on Friday urged the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to respect press freedom. Officials within the Kurdistan Region have also voiced their opinions, including that the trials are damaging the reputation of Kurdistan Region.
On Friday evening, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani urged everyone to cease “interference” in the case. “I strongly urge everyone to respect the judiciary system in the Kurdistan Region and to let it do its job independently and without interference,” he tweeted.
