Peregraf
Journalist Bashdar Baziani was arrested today in Sulaymaniyah following a complaint, though the details of the complaint and the identity of the complainant remain unknown. The Metro Center for the Protection of Journalists’ Rights has called for his immediate release on bail.
According to journalist Dana Salih, a close friend of Baziani, he was summoned to Sarchnar police station for questioning. After the interrogation, an investigating judge ordered his detention until February 9.
“We still don’t know what the complaint is about or who filed it,” Salih told Peregraf.
Journalists Sardasht Hama Salih and Dana Salih attempted to visit Baziani at the Sulaymaniyah prison but were denied access.
“We have been trying to see Bashdar Baziani since noon, but they have not allowed us yet,” Salih said at 4:30 PM today, “Because we haven’t seen him, we still don’t know on whose complaint he was detained and on what charges.”
The Metro Center condemned Baziani’s arrest, emphasizing that journalism-related cases should be handled under Journalism Law No. 35 of 2007, which prohibits the detention of journalists over complaints related to their work.
However, authorities in the Kurdistan Region have frequently used Article 2 of the Misuse of Communications Devices Act to arrest journalists, bypassing legal protections granted under the Journalism Law.
“The Journalism Law must be upheld. No other law can replace it in cases involving journalistic work, including writing and opinion,” the Metro Center stated.
Baziani’s arrest has raised concerns among press freedom advocates, who see it as part of a broader crackdown on independent journalism in the region.