Iraqi Kurdistan: A spokesman for the Badinan (Behdinan) prisoners, a group of journalists and activists from Duhok convicted of spying in 2021, has expressed support for allegations that the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) attempted to poison imprisoned journalist Şerwan Şerwani. The representative also stated that he held Prime Minister Masrour Barzani responsible for any further threats to the journalist’s life, Roj News reported.
Ayhan Saeedi, who is also a representative of the local press freedom group, Metro Centre for Journalists’ Rights and Advocacy in Duhok, said that Şerwani, currently held in Erbil (Hewlêr) Prison, was in mortal danger. Saeedi demanded Şerwani’s immediate transfer to Sulaymaniyah Prison, which is under the governance of the region’s other major political party, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).
The disclosure by Saeedi came after opposition journalist and human rights activist Hemin Mamand claimed in a TV program on the previous night that someone had attempted to poison Şerwani, but that the jailed journalist had himself foiled the attempt. Mamand also strongly criticised Prime Minister Barzani for “arbitrary sentences and baseless accusations against the Badinan prisoners”, who had not been released despite numerous calls from international organisations.
Mamand stated that he had met with a prosecutor in Şerwani’s case, who told him, “We do not have the authority or power to make fair decisions.” Mamand went on to say, “It is the Barzani family that is controlling the Badinan case.”
Saeedi echoed Mamand’s remarks in his statement, asserting, “All decisions regarding Şerwan Şerwani and the Badinan prisoners’ case are politically motivated and issued by Masrour Barzani.”
Şerwani was arrested in 2020, along with 80 other journalists, artists and activists known as the Badinan prisoners. Although the majority of the Badinan detainees have been released either without charge or having completed sentences, some individuals still remain held under the jurisdiction of KDP-affiliated courts.
Despite having served his initial sentence, Şerwani was further sentenced to an additional four years in prison by an Erbil court on 20 July. Before the new sentence was handed down, his release was scheduled for 9 September.
