Writer detained for articles critical of Kurdish authorities
Iraq, Politics, 12/16/2005

The Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC), International PEN, London, expressed concerned about the detention and welfare of writer Kamal Sayid Qadir, an Iraqi Kurd with Austrian citizenship who has been detained incommunicado in Iraqi Kurdistan since 26 October 2005.

He is believed to be held for articles critical of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) authorities, including KDP leader Masuud Barzani. International PEN is alarmed at reports that Qadir has been ill-treated in detention, and is in very poor health.

According to PEN's information, writer Kamal Sayid Qadir, aged 48, was arrested on 26 October by members of Parastin, the security intelligence service of the KDP, one of two parties holding power in the Kurdish-dominated region. Dr. Qadir, who now lives in Vienna, was on a visit to Iraqi Kurdistan at the time of his arrest. He was reportedly on his way to a meeting with KDP officials at a hotel in the city of Erbil when he was arrested. KDP intelligence agents are believed to have seized him because of articles that he had published on the Internet in the weeks before he returned to Iraqi Kurdistan. In these articles, he criticized the KDP authorities, including Mas'ud Barzani. Dr Qadir is known for his critical writings about the political leadership of the Kurdish territories of Iraq.

WiPC wrote to Masuud Barzani on 9 November, seeking clarification of Kamal Sayid Qadir's whereabouts. The KDP International Relations Bureau in London responded, confirming that Qadir is being held by the Kurdistan authorities in Erbil and is being investigated for "slander, personal harassment and threats" in connection with the publication of articles considered by the Kurdistan authorities to be provocative and defamatory of "certain prominent elected official politicians." No formal charges are believed to have been brought.

Previous Stories:
  High turnout in Iraqi historic elections expected   (12/15/2005)
  Iraq national dialogue vital, Annan says   (12/10/2005)
  Bush says steady progress being achieved in Iraq   (12/8/2005)
  Human rights situation in Iraq of serious concern, UN reports   (9/9/2005)
  Washington Post: Kurds rule roughshod in Kirkuk   (6/15/2005)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search