On Thursday, the criminal court in Erbil increased the sentence of Kurdish journalist and human rights defender Sherwan Sherwani, already imprisoned since 2020 for “undermining national security”, by four years. In the process, another journalist, Omed Baroshki was placed in detention for having criticized this court decision.
1 min
With our correspondent in Erbil, Camille Guillot
The noose is tightening on journalists in Iraqi Kurdistan: first on Sherwan Sherwanialready imprisoned and sentenced to six years in prison, to which must now be added four, following a complaint lodged by the Directorate of Adult Corrections in Erbil.
The journalist is accused this time of having affixed the signature of a colleague, himself imprisoned, on a petition last summer. A decision “ unfair and severe “, according to his lawyer.
A decision “ policy “, according to journalist Omed Baroshki, who denounced him in court, during a press conference: “ The decision taken today does not come from the Erbil court but from Masrour Barzani. Masrour Barzani, unfortunately, we cannot govern with such a militaristic and police mentality. »
Concerns for freedom of expression
A few hours after uttering these words, Omed Baroshki was arrested by security forces in Dohuk, in the north of Iraqi Kurdistan, then released on Friday evening on the orders of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.
But these cases worry defenders of freedom of expression. THE Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reacted strongly, emphasizing how Iraqi Kurdish authorities could show themselves “ ruthless towards journalists ».