Kurdish Journalist sentenced to 3 years in prison in Iraqi Kurdistan

Kurdish Journalist Sleman Ahmed sentenced to 3 years in prison in Iraqi Kurdistan — Syrian Kurdish journalist Sleman Mohammed Ahmed, an Arabic editor for RojNews, Iraqi Kurdistan, 2023. Photo: RojNews.news

DUHOK, Iraqi Kurdistan region,— A court in Duhok city, in Iraqi Kurdistan, sentenced on Monday Syrian Kurdish journalist Slêman Mohammed Ahmed, an Arabic editor for RojNews, to three years in prison on charges of espionage, RojNews reported. This ruling has been met with criticism from Ahmed’s legal team, who have already filed an appeal.

RojNews, affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), announced that Ahmed was convicted due to alleged ties with the Democratic Union Party (PYD). As a journalist for RojNews, Ahmed’s arrest has drawn significant attention.

The arrest occurred on October 25, 2023, when Kurdistan Regional Government security forces, connected to the ruling Barzani clan, detained Ahmed at the Semalka Border Crossing between Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava) and Iraqi Kurdistan (Bashur). Ahmed was reportedly visiting family at the time. Barzani security forces justified the detention by accusing Ahmed of engaging in “secret and illegal activities for the PKK.”

The PYD, the dominant party in Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava), is closely monitored by regional authorities.

Ahmed’s legal representatives have condemned the handling of the case, asserting that it should have fallen under journalism laws. Instead, he was sentenced under Article 1, Number 21 of the 2003 Iraqi Kurdistan Region Parliament law, which pertains to alleged membership in the PYD. This law allows for severe penalties, including life imprisonment for actions perceived as threatening the security, stability, and independence of Iraqi Kurdistan’s institutions.

Nariman Ahmed, a member of Ahmed’s defense team, criticized the trial’s restrictive conditions, noting that they were initially barred from participating. This restriction was later lifted. Ahmed has denied all charges and intends to continue his legal battle through the appeals process.

Adding to the controversy, RojNews reported that a representative from the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) was barred from attending the trial, further fueling concerns over the trial’s transparency.

International reaction has been swift and critical. The Committee to Protect Journalists recently urged the Barzani authorities to “immediately and unconditionally” release Ahmed and drop all charges. For months following his arrest, RojNews and other Kurdish independent media outlets claimed that Ahmed had been “kidnapped” by Kurdistan Region authorities. It was only on May 22 that Ahmed’s legal team was permitted to meet him and finalize their representation.

The PKK, a militant and political organization representing Turkey’s Kurds, is recognized as a legal entity in Iraqi Kurdistan but is designated a terrorist organization by Turkey.

Despite its legal status in Iraqi Kurdistan, the PKK faces significant opposition from the Barzani’s Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), which maintains favorable relations with Turkey.

Observers note that the Barzani family collaborates closely with Turkish military and intelligence agencies in their efforts against the PKK.

The political landscape of Iraqi Kurdistan is deeply fragmented, divided into Yellow and Green zones, each governed by different factions. The Yellow zone, including Erbil and Duhok, falls under the control of Massoud Barzani’s KDP, while the Green zone, encompassing Sulaimani, is managed by the Talabani family’s Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).

The plight of Kurdish journalists in the Barzani-controlled areas remains a pressing issue, with many facing lengthy prison sentences. The case of Sleman Mohammed Ahmed underscores the ongoing challenges and tensions in the region, drawing international scrutiny and calls for greater press freedom and judicial transparency.