Iraqi Kurdish journalist Guhdar Zebari is free from prison, but not from threats
On February 17, 2024, Iraqi Kurdish journalist Guhdar Zebari was released from prison, concluding a three-and-a-half year legal saga that saw him convicted on anti-state and other charges in retaliation for his work. Zebari is one of the so-called “Badinan prisoners” – a group of journalists and activists from the ethnic Badinani group who were…
CPJ, MENA Rights Group file Urgent Action to UN on disappearance of Syrian journalist in Iraqi Kurdistan
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the MENA Rights Group (MRG), filed an Urgent Action on April 12, 2024, to the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances, asking for the Iraqi Kurdish government to clarify the fate and whereabouts of Syrian journalist Sleman Ahmed, who was arrested in Iraqi Kurdistan on October 25, 2023. Ahmed,…
Iraqi Kurdish journalist Omed Baroshky charged with defamation over Facebook post
Three police officers arrested Kurdish journalist Omed Baroshky from his home in the northwestern city of Duhok at around midday on February 22, 2024, on charges of defamation, the journalist and his lawyer Revving Hruri told CPJ. Baroshky was released from the city’s Zirka prison at around 10 p.m. on bail of 3 million dinars…
Iraqi publisher survives assassination attempt in Baghdad
Beirut, February 26, 2024—An unknown number of armed and masked individuals in two trucks fired at least 17 times on the car of prominent Iraqi publisher and politician Fakhri Karim on Thursday before fleeing, according to multiple media reports and Facebook statements by his outlet. The Committee to Protect Journalists on Monday urged Iraqi authorities…
Syrian journalist missing after arrest on Iraqi Kurdistan border
Beirut, November 1, 2023—Iraqi Kurdish authorities should immediately reveal the whereabouts of Syrian journalist Sleman Mohammed Ahmed, unconditionally release him, and stop harassing journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On October 25, Ahmed—an Arabic editor for the local news website RojNews—was arrested by Iraqi Kurdish authorities at the northern Faysh Khabur border and…
Haiti joins list of countries where killers of journalists most likely to go unpunished
By Arlene Getz/CPJ Editorial Director The persistent lack of justice for murdered reporters is a major threat to press freedom. Ten years after the United Nations declared an international day to end impunity for crimes against journalists – and more than 30 years after CPJ began documenting these killings – almost 80% of their killings…
Journalist Islam Kashani arrested in Iraqi Kurdistan
Beirut, August 25, 2023 – Iraqi Kurdish authorities should immediately and unconditionally release journalist Islam Kashani, disclose the reasons for his arrest and the raid on his home, and ensure the press can work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On Thursday, August 24, Asayish intelligence agents arrested Kashani, a host on the…
Journalist Omed Baroshky arrested in Iraqi Kurdistan
Beirut, July 21, 2023 – Iraqi Kurdish authorities should immediately disclose the whereabouts of journalist Omed Baroshky and ensure journalists are not arrested for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On the evening of Thursday, July 20, Asayish security forces raided Baroshky’s home in the northwest city of Duhok and arrested him,…
Imprisoned journalist Sherwan Sherwani given additional 4-year sentence in Iraqi Kurdistan
Beirut, July 20, 2023—Iraqi Kurdish authorities should release journalist Sherwan Sherwani at once, drop all charges against him, and allow members of the press to work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On Thursday, July 20, the Erbil criminal court sentenced Sherwani to an additional four years in prison over a complaint by…
Journalists detained and attacked in Iraqi Kurdistan
Beirut, April 20, 2023—Iraqi Kurdistan authorities should immediately return equipment confiscated from the privately owned outlet Rast Media and ensure those who attacked a news crew for the local broadcaster KNN TV are held to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On Monday, April 17, eight officers with the regional Asayish intelligence agency…