Duhok Asayish releases journalist Islam Kashani

26-08-2023
Rudaw
A+ A-
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Duhok's security forces (Asayish) released journalist Islam Kashani on bail early Saturday days after detaining him for alleged ties with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). 

Kashani, head of the Islamic Speda TV’s office in Duhok, was arrested on Thursday. Local and international rights groups strongly criticised the local authorities for the action.   

Mohammed Sadiq, head of Kurdistan Journalists Syndicate's Duhok branch, told Rudaw that Kashani was released on bail in the early hours of Saturday. 

The Syndicate, local rights groups and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the arrest, calling for his immediate release.   

Zakho security forces (Asayish) accused Kashani of having ties with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). “We do not allow any forces, groups or parties to pose a threat to the stability and security of the Kurdistan Region," the force said. 

Asayish said the arrest was carried out with a warrant issued by a judge and denied committing any violations against the journalist.

Kashasi is also a member of the Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU). 

Aso Hamid, the head of KIU’s media, told Rudaw on Friday that Kashashi is one of their “loyal” members and denied that he has links with the PKK. 

Comments

Rudaw moderates all comments submitted on our website. We welcome comments which are relevant to the article and encourage further discussion about the issues that matter to you. We also welcome constructive criticism about Rudaw.

To be approved for publication, however, your comments must meet our community guidelines.

We will not tolerate the following: profanity, threats, personal attacks, vulgarity, abuse (such as sexism, racism, homophobia or xenophobia), or commercial or personal promotion.

Comments that do not meet our guidelines will be rejected. Comments are not edited – they are either approved or rejected.

Post a comment

Required
Required
 

The Latest

Campaign signs hang in the Kurdistan Region ahead of the parliamentary elections in Ocotber 2024. Photo: Bilind T. Abdullah

Teenager dies while removing campaign poster in Duhok

A 16-year-old boy died while trying to take down a campaign poster in Duhok province’s Shekhan district, as he touched the sign’s electrified metal frame on the final night of the campaigning period, authorities said.