Roj's Suleiman Ahmed: 218 days in KDP Prison

The editor of the Arabic section at Roj News Agency, Suleiman Ahmed  was kidnapped by KDP-affiliated forces at the Sêmalka Border Gate while returning from Aleppo to South Kurdistan on 25 October 2023.

The Asayish forces of the Kurdistan Democratic Party in Dohuk claimed in a statement full of contradictions and lies that his kidnapping was “not related to his journalistic work but to punish him publicly.

The lawyer Beşdar Hasan was allowed to meet him in Asayish prison in Dohuk, on May 22, under pressure from journalists, press unions, and local and international organizations.

"We were able to see Silêman Ehmed in a room. During the meeting, Ehmed conveyed his special greetings to everyone who made an effort for him, especially Rojnews journalists. Ehmed also expressed his gratitude to all organizations, journalists, unions and patriots who participated in the freedom campaign carried out for him. We were very happy to see that he was healthy. He stated that his only request was to continue public pressure until he was released." Beşdar Hasan told Roj News Agency.

He added, "The journalist was accused of "endangering national security", which is Article 1 of Law No. 21 enacted by the Kurdistan Region Parliament in 2003, and that the prosecutor continued to detain him for this reason."

 Hasan said: "However, not a single piece of evidence has been produced regarding this alleged crime for 7 months. We obtained the necessary power to represent him. Then, we met with the Duhok Public Order Review Court. They stated that their doors are open to us."

The Lawyer said that they will continue their efforts to present Suleiman Ahmed file to the court and he will be released immediately after his trial, not a single piece of evidence has been produced regarding the alleged crime during the interrogation process, it was revealed that he went to Rojava officially and returned to South Kurdistan. It has also been officially documented that he has a residence permit in the Kurdistan Region."

The mother of journalist called for his release, and she expressed her gratitude to everyone who contributed to pressuring the government of South Kurdistan to allow his lawyer to meet with him.

a.k

ANHA