The United States District Court for the District of Columbia has ordered Masrour Barzani, the Prime Minister of Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), to appear within 21 days to answer civil charges brought against him. The lawsuit, which implicates various members of the ruling Barzani family and other Kurdish officials, includes nearly 25 legal cases with multiple charges, including human rights violations and corruption, the New Arab reported.
The lawsuit, filed on 30 January by the Kurdistan Victims Fund, a US-based non-profit organisation, represents a significant legal challenge to the leadership of the KRG. Represented by Maki Ravand, a Kurdish activist living in exile in Germany, and an extensive list of anonymous plaintiffs (referred to as John Does 1-5000), the case makes a series of serious allegations. These include atrocities, indiscriminate violence, arson, murder, genocide and financial crimes that have had a significant impact on the political and social landscape of the Kurdistan region.
The lawsuit also highlights specific cases of abuse, such as the murders of Kurdish journalists Sardasht Othman, Wadat Hussein and Kawa Garmiani, aimed at suppressing dissent and controlling the narrative within the region.
While Ravand was unable to provide detailed insights into the 327-page trial, he emphasised the rigorous legal process that lies ahead. He noted the significant challenge faced by many defendants in avoiding court appearances, particularly those who hold US citizenship or green cards.
