Imprisoned Journalist Sherwan Sherwani’s Hunger Strike Enters Second Week Amid Growing Health Concerns
Peregraf - The hunger strike of imprisoned investigative journalist Sherwan Sherwani has entered its second week, with his legal team warning of a critical deterioration in his health. The strike, launched as a protest against the denial of his basic legal rights, has reignited international concerns over the treatment of the "Badinan activists"—a case Peregraf has tracked since its inception in 2020.
Mohammed Abdullah, Sherwani’s defense lawyer, confirmed in a statement to Peregraf that the journalist began his hunger strike on April 22, 2026—a date chosen to coincide with the 128th anniversary of Kurdish Journalism Day. As of today, Sherwani has refused food for seven consecutive days.
“Sherwan Sherwani is using the only tool he has left to protest repeated violations of his rights,” Abdullah said. “His health is now at serious risk, and the lack of concern from certain authorities will only lead to a more dangerous situation.”
The Fight for Home Leave
The primary catalyst for this strike is the repeated denial of Sherwani’s legal right to home leave (furlough). Under Iraqi Law No. 111 and the Reform Law, prisoners who have served a significant portion of their sentence with good behavior are entitled to temporary release to visit family.
While some administrative authorities have acknowledged Sherwani's eligibility, his legal team reports that outside political pressure continues to obstruct the process. This obstruction is seen by advocates as a targeted move against the Badinan detainees, as other prisoners in similar legal positions are routinely granted these leaves.
A Cycle of Serial Convictions
Peregraf’s ongoing investigation into the Badinan cases has documented what human rights organizations describe as judicial harassment. Since the initial crackdown in late 2020, Sherwani has faced a cycle of three separate convictions:
2021: Sentenced to six years for endangering national security.
2023: Sentenced to an additional two years for falsification regarding a thumbprint on a petition.
2025: Sentenced to four years and five months—his third conviction in four years—despite criticism regarding insufficient evidence.
On October 24, 2025, the Erbil Court of Appeals confirmed this latest conviction but reduced the sentence by one year.
A Test for Press Freedom
The continued detention of Sherwani has drawn sharp criticism from the United Nations (UNAMI) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). As Peregraf has previously reported, the Badinan case remains a major test for the independence of the judiciary and the state of press freedom in the Kurdistan Region.
Lawyers and activists are now calling for immediate legal steps to resolve the issue and end the hunger strike before Sherwani’s physical condition reaches a point of no return.