Peregraf
The Kurdistan Regional Court of Appeal has overturned the conviction of journalist Sulaiman Ahmad, who had been sentenced to three years in prison by a Duhok court on charges of espionage for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
Revink Yasin, a member of Ahmad's legal team, confirmed the decision to Peregraf. "The Kurdistan Regional Court of Appeal issued a decision to release journalist Sulaiman Ahmad today, but the decision has not yet reached Duhok," Yasin said. "He will not be released until the decision is delivered to the Duhok Criminal Court. We are waiting for that process to be completed."
The appellate court found insufficient evidence to support the charges against Ahmad, which were initially upheld by the Duhok court under Article 1 of Law No. 21 of 2003, a statute from the Kurdistan Parliament addressing espionage and national security.
Ahmad, a reporter for the Arabic section of Rojnews, was detained by security forces on October 25, 2023, at the Fishkhabur (Semelka) border crossing while returning from Rojava (northeast Syria) to the Kurdistan Region. He was formally accused of espionage on behalf of the PKK.
His trial on July 29, 2024, resulted in a three-year prison sentence, despite assertions by his defense team that the evidence presented was inadequate.
The Court of Appeal's decision marks a significant development in the case, but uncertainty remains about the timeline for Ahmad's release. Legal procedures require that the decision be physically transferred to the Duhok court before it can be executed.
The treatment of journalists in the Kurdistan Region, has drawn scrutiny from regional and international media watchdogs. These organizations have voiced concerns about press freedoms and the increasing challenges faced by journalists in the region.