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Country: Iraq
City / Location: Semalka-Faysh Khabur Border Crossing
Period / Date: 25.10.23
Subject: Information received concerning the arrest, detention and prosecution on espionage charges of the journalist Mr. Sulaiman Ahmad by the authorities of the Kurdish region of Iraq. Mr. Sulaiman Ahmad, also known as Sleman Mohammed Ahmed, is a journalist of Syrian nationality. Since 2018, he has worked for the local news agency “Rojnews” as a journalist and editor of its Arabic section. His journalistic work has included reporting on issues related to fundamental rights and freedoms, including the freedom of the press in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (K-RI). Notably, Mr. Ahmad covered the cases of the “Badinan Prisoners”, a group of journalists and activists from the Badinani ethnic group who were arrested in the wake of 2020 anti-Government protests. In this context, we wish to recall the communication AL IRQ 1/2017, in which Special Procedures mandate holders expressed their concerns about the killing of a journalist who also worked for the agency “Rojnews” in the Duhok Governorate, Kurdistan region. In this regard, I thank your Excellency’s Government for the response provided on 26 January 2018.
Number of identified alleged victims: 1

First name last name	age	sex	affiliation
Sulaiman Ahmad	adult	male	No affiliation

Total number of unidentified alleged victims: -

Status or occupation	Number and gender

General concerns:

Total number of alleged victims: 1
Related communications:
Previous communications: IRQ 1/2017
Follow up communications: