Journalist Süleyman Ahmet, held in detention by Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) forces for 279 days, appeared in court today. Ahmet, an editor for Rojnews, was abducted on 25 October 2023 while crossing from North and East Syria (Rojava) to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), and remained unaccounted for for 211 days.
Intense international pressure from journalists and various organisations eventually forced the KDP to disclose Ahmet’s location and allow legal access. Contact was first established on 22 May 2024 when his lawyers met him at Duhok Security Directorate, and he was allowed a brief conversation with his family in North and East Syria.
Numerous protests and campaigns had been held worldwide to demand information on Ahmet’s whereabouts. The Duhok Criminal Court had initially set his trial date for 30 June, but the hearing was postponed to 29 July, extending his pre-trial detention.
Ahmet was convicted under Article 1 of Law No. 21 of 2003, which relates to undermining the security of the KRI, a legal article under which many journalists and activists in the region have been prosecuted.
Ahmet’s lawyer Neriman Ehmed stated that the decision was “not lawful” and that she will lodge an appeal against the decision.
