Lawyer of Journalist Suleiman:  verdict is unfair and we will appeal it

Journalist Suleiman Ahmed's lawyer, Nariman Ahmed, stated to Roj news agency, confirming that the verdict issued today by the Duhok Court to imprison journalist Suleiman Ahmed for three years is an unfair verdict, and will be appealed.

Adding that the verdict should have been based on the Press Law in Southern Kurdistan and Iraq, but the court relied on Article 1 of Law No. 21 of 2003 issued by the Parliament of the Kurdistan Authorities, which stipulates that Ahmed be imprisoned for three years on charges of belonging to the "Democratic Union Party".

Ahmed indicated that the trial session witnessed extreme tension, as the defense lawyers were not initially allowed to participate in the case, but they were eventually able to participate under pressure.

During the session, Suleiman Ahmed denied all the charges against him, noting that the statements prepared against him were written in Sorani Kurdish and were not read to him.

His lawyers confirmed that they presented witnesses to prove Ahmed's innocence, and that the charges were baseless, noting that Ahmed has been working as a journalist for Roj news agency for five years.

Nariman Ahmed added that the defense team considers the verdict unfair and will appeal it. He also confirmed that the court did not allow UNAMI to attend the trial session and that it will issue a statement on the case soon.

Suleiman Ahmed was kidnapped by the Kurdistan Democratic Party forces at the Fish Khabur crossing on October 25, 2023, while returning to southern Kurdistan, after heading to the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood in Aleppo on October 1 to visit his family.

T/ Satt.

ANHA