We condemn the arrest of journalists by barzani

We condemn the arrest of journalists by barzani
SULAIMANI – Kurdish journalist Ibrahim Abbas was detained by Asayish (security forces) in Erbil on Wednesday (May 3) after he criticized the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and corruption in the Kurdistan Region.

Abbas’ wife, Saadiya Mohammed, told NRT on Thursday (May 4) that security forces were waiting for Abbas from 8 p.m. on Wednesday until 1 a.m. on Thursday, saying that they wished to speak with the journalist.

Abbas ended up being detained at the house of a friend on Wednesday night as he wasn’t at home, Mohammed added.

The day of Abbas’ arrest, May 3, also coincides with World Press Freedom Day.

The journalist’s brother, Aso Abbas, said that security forces had told the family that they were under orders when they detained the journalist.

According to Mohammed, Abbas had previously received threatening messages over his criticism of the KDP and corruption.

“Special guards of Masoud Barzani attacked my house under the name of detention,” the journalist said in a post to his Facebook account after hearing that security forces had gathered at his home.

“Be certain, how this issue is against me, it is more against the children who are having exams tomorrow,” he wrote.

“In May and June last year, Barzani’s house directed Rawan Barzani to spoil my children’s studies when my daughter and other children had a 12th grade exam in Masif [area of Erbil]. [The issue] caused gun shooting, expelling [us from our home] and the capture of the house,” he also wrote on Facebook.