ANF reporter Rêbaz Hesen, who was detained alongside several people on April 25 by the Sulaymaniyah security forces, has been released following public reaction. Dozens of other detainees are on a hunger strike.
Dozens of people including ANF reporter Rêbaz Hesen were detained during a march in Sulaymaniyah two days ago in protest at Turkey’s occupation attacks against guerrilla-controlled Medya Defense Zones in southern Kurdistan, northern Iraq.
The ANF reporter has been released today following growing reactions and calls by organizations such as METRO and CPJ.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Middle East and North Africa Representative Ignacio Miguel Delgado urged authorities in to release Hesen as soon as possible.
Diyari Mihemed, head of the Center for the Protection of Journalists' Rights (METRO), also called on authorities to release him yesterday.
55 PEOPLE STILL IN CUSTODY
After his release Hesen said that he was in good condition and explained the conditions of his detention.
He reported that 55 people, 8 of whom were women, still remain in custody and some of them started a hunger strike.
THERE ARE SICK PEOPLE
Hesen said, “The detainees include some with heart disease who are in bad condition. They stated that they will continue their hunger strike until all of those detained are released.”
The journalist pointed out that “Some of the detainees have nothing to do with the protest held on April 25, adding, “They were detained randomly as they were just passing through the street. They are also carrying out a hunger strike like the others.”
Hesen noted that he also went on a hunger strike and thanked the public for the solidarity that led to his release.
