Rudaw reporter recounts detention, beating by security forces

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — A Rudaw reporter has said he was beaten by Iraqi federal police after being detained while covering a protest at the Kurdistan Democratic Party’s (KDP) office in Baghdad.

Rudaw staff Halkawt Aziz and Khatab Ajmi were taken in Karada, Baghdad as they were covering the attack on the KDP office on Friday morning. Initially thought to be taken by an armed group, Aziz confirmed upon his release that they were held by federal police and were not allowed to contact anyone during their detention. 

"At around 11am, the federal police force attacked us, took our cameras and equipment and pushed us into the back of a pickup truck, hitting us across the head every time we raised our heads, and took us to the intelligence office of the Third Brigade of Iraqi Federal Forces" Aziz told Rudaw’s Shahyan Tahsin.

"They took our fingerprints and pictures, and asked us for information about us, our families, and where we work," he said. 

"They treated us in a very unpleasant way, pushing us, kicking us, and insulting us."

He also said that they made them sign a statement under duress saying, "If you do not sign, you will not be allowed to leave." He added that the content of the statement forbid them from telling anyone of their treatment. 

"Our only crime was doing our job and covering the attack closely, we were abducted along with a team from INEWS who were later brought in, while other media outlets linked to Hashd remained untouched," he said, referring to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF, or Hashd al-Shaabi in Arabic).  

PMF supporters stormed the KDP offices in Karada, Baghdad at around 10am, setting the building alight. 

The attack was in response to a statement made by Hoshyar Zebari, politburo member of the KDP and former Iraqi foreign minister, earlier this month asking for the “cleansing” of Baghdad’s Green Zone of militia groups. 

The attack was organized by Rab’allah and Ahbabullah, newly organized groups affiliated to the PMF who organize their activities through telegram messaging app. They have around 5,000 followers on their channel.

Crowds stormed the area holding PMF flags and pictures of their deceased leader, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, killed in a January air strike with Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. 

Zebari commented on the attack, saying his comments were misconstrued. 

“I did not attack Hashd Al Shaabi.. they are putting words in my mouth, we all have respect for Hashd,” Zebari told Al Ahd TV on Saturday.