Social Affairs Minister: We have No Complaint Against Sherwani

PUKMEDIA

Sherwan Sherwani.

The Minister of Labor and Social Affairs of the Kurdistan Region sent a letter to the Kurdistan Region's Judiciary Council regarding the second sentencing of journalist Sherwan Sherwani, pointing out that the sentencing was based on an irrelevant factor.

The letter, dated 23 July 2023 and addressed to the Judiciary Council, was signed by Minister Kwestan Mohamad Abdulla and stated, "Our ministry has no complaint against Sherwan Sherwani, nor are we aware of the court hearing during which Sherwan was sentenced to four years in prison."

"Also, none of his fellow inmates have complaints against him; however, signing and providing fingerprints on behalf of another inmate is common in prisons," the report continued. "We believe that the reason Sherwani was sentenced has no bearing on the case. Therefore, we want our letter to be mentioned when the case is appealed and for our clarification to be considered."

The Erbil criminal court sentenced Sherwani to an additional four years in prison on Thursday, July 20, based on a complaint by the Erbil Adult Correctional Directorate for allegedly forging documents, according to news reports, the journalist's lawyer, and his brother, who both spoke to CPJ by phone.



PUKMEDIA