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Islamic KIU party members in jail despite
Barzani's "decision" to release them
6.12.2011 |
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December 6, 2011
DUHOK,
Kurdistan region 'Iraq', — Kurdistan Islamic Union
members and staff are still in prison having been
allegedly detained arbitrarily on charges of arson a
KIU journalist claims. They are still in jail
despite an "order" by President of Kurdistan Region
Massoud Barzani to release them.
Barzani visited the town of Zakho, Duhok
Governorate, on Sunday where he encouraged political
parties, people and different faiths to stay calm.
He pledged all those responsible for attacks on
liquor stores and subsequent KIU offices will be
punished.
Several liquor stores and massage parlours were set
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fire on Friday after a preacher allegedly encouraged
his congregation to do so. Pro-establishment mobs
later attacked and torched several KIU office in
Zakho, Duhok, Semel and Qasrok in retaliation for
what they believed to be a KIU plot.
KIU members and affiliates were detained after the
liquor stores and massage centers were torched.
Among those locked up were journalists and
politicians. The KIU has rejected allegations it is
responsible for the pandemonium saying the preacher
was a pro-KDP man.
Saad Mahmoud, director of Khabur TV - a local TV
station associated with KIU in Zakho - told AKnews
that "some 25 of our members are in jail...Barzani's
decision to release members and supporters of KIU
has not been implemented."
In the reprisal attacks on KIU offices, their TV
stations were among the buildings torched. The KIU
has accused the KDP of encouraging its supporters to
attack the Islamic party's offices.
"Barzani said in his meeting with the officials in
Zakho that the detainees will be released. However,
10 journalists,www.ekurd.net
five of whom are active members of the Kurdistan
Journalists Syndicate (KJS), among other KIU
supporters, have not been released," Mahmoud said.
But the KDP have their own answer to these claims.
KDP's Zakho official Ali Mustafa said those who
remain in jail are wanted by the law because there
were "complaints raised against them."
He also said he was not aware of any such decision
by Barzani to release the KIU supporters. Mustafa
said those KIU supporters who were not wanted for
arson charges had already been released.
By Baravan Ahmed
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