Peregraf — The Sulaymaniyah Criminal Court on Thursday postponed the trial of Lahur Sheikh Jangi, his brother Polad Sheikh Jangi, and 10 other detainees linked to the Lalezar incident until May 14, after reviewing the case files.
The defendants face two separate legal cases related to the events surrounding the August 2025 clashes in Sulaymaniyah.
Charges Against Lahur Sheikh Jangi
The first case falls under Article 56 of the Iraqi Penal Code and is based on complaints filed by Bafel Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), and Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and senior PUK leader, accusing the group of "attempted murder and plotting a coup."
The second case is under Article 406 of the Iraqi Penal Code, concerning murder charges tied to the deadly Lalezar confrontation.
Background of the Lalezar Incident
The case stems from violent clashes on August 22, 2025, after security forces attempted to execute an arrest warrant against Lahur Sheikh Jangi at the Lalezar Hotel in Sulaymaniyah, which served as his residence and political headquarters.
Units from the Asayish, Counter-Terrorism Group (CTG), and Commando forces surrounded the area, triggering armed confrontations with Sheikh Jangi's loyalists, known as the "Scorpion Force."
The clashes involved heavy gunfire and explosions lasting more than three hours.
According to reports, at least four people were killed, dozens were injured, and more than 100 individuals were detained.
Political Significance
Lahur Sheikh Jangi previously served as co-president of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) alongside his cousin Bafel Talabani, before being removed from the party leadership on July 8, 2021.
He later established the People's Front.
The case remains one of the Kurdistan Region's most closely watched political and legal disputes, reflecting broader tensions within Kurdish politics and the PUK.