MP Ali Hama Saleh’s Associate, Adam Osman, Released After Over a Month in Detention
Peregraf
Adam Osman, the friend and a temporary driver of Member of Parliament Ali Hama Saleh, has been released after spending a month and three days in detention in Erbil, according to the MP.
“After a month and three days in security prison (Asayish) in Erbil, my friend Adam Osman was released today,” Ali Hama Saleh announced.
He expressed gratitude to the Chairman of the Human Rights Commission, the legal team, and the public for their support. “We would like to thank the citizens and organizations for their support,” he added.
Background of the Arrest
Adam Osman was apprehended by security agencies in Erbil on February 10, 2025, accused of "faciliting the recording a video by Ali Hama Saleh that authorities claimed aimed to incite instability in the Kurdistan Region". The next day, Erbil police released a video of Osman, labeling it a “confession” and alleging that it had been disseminated by media outlets hostile to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). The police specifically mentioned Sabrin News, a Telegram channel known for its ties to Iraqi Shiite factions and support for Iranian policies in Iraq.
However, a Peregraf investigation uncovered that the video in question was originally produced by KNN, a media outlet, and was later shared by Sabrin News after cropping out KNN’s logo. According to the investigation:
• KNN first published the video on February 9, 2025, at 10:58 AM.
• Sabrin News republished the same video 24 minutes later, at 11:22 AM, without altering the background music originally produced by KNN.
• The video was recorded on February 9, when security forces in Erbil were deployed to prevent teachers and government employees from protesting against salary delays.
Legal Controversy and Public Reaction
The arrest of Adam Osman has sparked widespread criticism on social media. Many have questioned the legality of filming security force deployments and whether such actions justify detention. Critics have asked what legal grounds were used for the arrest, as the police statement did not cite any specific law, instead referring to vague charges of “disrupting regional security.”
This case has drawn further attention to press freedom and civil rights in Kurdistan Region, as calls grow for greater transparency in law enforcement and judicial processes.
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