Masrour Barzani in deep trouble as new lawsuit targets Barzanis

Masrour Barzani in deep trouble as new lawsuit targets Barzani family in US — Masrour Barzani, the prime minister Kurdistan Regional Government KRG, drinks tea in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, September 2024. Photo: Screengrab/video/Masrour’s YT

Masrour Barzani should learn the Russian language, Rubin says

NEW YORK,— The Kurdistan Victims Association has filed a new lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against the ruling Barzani family of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region.

The complaint, filed on behalf of victims including Shahwan Abdulrahman, Maki Rewend, and a U.S. citizen known as “John Doe,” alleges severe human rights violations such as kidnapping and murder. The case, with file number 1:24-cv-00278-RDM, targets the Barzani family under the label “Barzani Crime Organization” (BCE).

Michael Rubin, a political analyst and former Pentagon official, who is also a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI),, reviewed the complaint for the Firat News Agency (ANF) and provided insight into the case.

According to Rubin, Masrour Barzani, one of the central figures named in the lawsuit, is facing significant legal challenges. “Masrour Barzani is in deep trouble,” Rubin remarked after reviewing the legal filing.

Rubin clarified that the plaintiffs had not abandoned their case, contrary to earlier claims from Barzani’s defense. Instead, the plaintiffs had refocused their legal strategy under the guidance of the court, adjusting the scope of the lawsuit to avoid legal obstacles related to sovereign immunity.

Rubin stressed that the lawsuit targets Masrour Barzani personally, not the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), and he cannot claim immunity for crimes like kidnapping and murder that were outside the state’s official functions.

While previous lawsuits against Barzani were filed in Virginia, this case is being heard in the District of Columbia, where the court has established precedents that support the plaintiffs’ position. Rubin expressed confidence that Barzani’s attempts to have the case dismissed would be difficult, given the strength of the court’s prior rulings.

In addition to Masrour Barzani, the lawsuit also names Joe Reeder, Masrour’s lawyer, accusing him of potential involvement in fraudulent activities. Rubin noted that it is highly unusual for a lawyer to be named as a defendant in such cases, but the plaintiffs have presented evidence suggesting that Reeder may have engaged in criminal acts to aid his client.

The lawsuit is supported by extensive documentation, including secret financial records and agreements linked to Masrour Barzani and his associate, Sarwar Pedawi. Rubin indicated that these documents could be pivotal in revealing the financial dealings of the Barzani family, which have long been shrouded in secrecy.

“The proof is now here,” Rubin said, suggesting that the forthcoming trial could expose billions of dollars in misappropriated funds unless Barzani settles the case before it reaches court.

Rubin also touched on the broader geopolitical implications of the case, particularly regarding U.S. aid to Iraqi Kurdistan Region, which is distributed under the Barzani family’s control.

He implied that the lawsuit and its revelations could prompt the U.S. government to reconsider its support for the Barzanis, stating, “The next step will be in court when Masrour and other defendants will be forced to testify.”

Rubin suggested that the Barzanis may soon be facing additional scrutiny, as the legal proceedings could unearth hidden financial transactions and shady dealings.

Finally, Rubin raised the prospect of significant consequences for Masrour Barzani if the case proceeds. “I hope Masrour is learning Russian,” he said, referring to the possibility of Barzani facing either legal penalties in the U.S. or an exile similar to that of other controversial political figures.

Rubin suggested that unless Barzani takes swift action to resolve the case, he could be heading toward a humiliating downfall.

As the case continues to develop, all eyes will be on the District of Columbia court to see how it proceeds in the coming months.

The Barzani clan, which has held power in Iraqi Kurdistan for over three decades, has come under repeated criticism from observers and critics for alleged nepotism and for amassing substantial wealth from the region’s oil industry.

Critics claim that the family has focused on enriching itself rather than addressing the needs of the local population.