Metro Center Urges Erbil Authorities Not to Extradite Journalist Ali Al-Khayal to Baghdad

Peregraf

Metro Center for Journalists’ Rights and Advocacy has called on the security agencies in Erbil to refrain from handing over journalist Ali Alkhayal to Baghdad authorities, stressing the need to handle his case within the Kurdistan Region’s legal framework.

Ali Alkhayal, a presenter at Al-Baghdadia TV, was arrested in Erbil following a complaint filed by Iraqi Planning Minister Mohammed Tamim. According to Al-Baghdadia, the minister had previously threatened Alkhayal over the phone before initiating legal action against him. The channel accused the minister of involvement in what it described as the journalist’s “kidnapping” from a gym in Erbil.

In a statement released Thursday, Metro Center expressed deep concern over reports that Alkhayal may be extradited to Baghdad. The organization urged Erbil’s security authorities to respect legal jurisdiction and process his case within the Kurdistan Region, given that the alleged incident took place there.

The center also warned against the misuse of legal mechanisms to intimidate or silence journalists, calling on the Iraqi government to uphold freedom of expression and protect the rights of media professionals.

Ali Alkhayal holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in journalism, both from Baghdad University, specializing in investigative journalism.

“This is a sensitive case,” Metro said, “and it should be addressed under the laws of the Kurdistan Region, not Iraq’s penal code.”