Lahur is innocent: Bafel Talabani should be in prison

[Anthea]

Concerns over trial of opposition
politicians in Sulaimani

The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) on Thursday highlighted the importance of addressing legal issues raised regarding two prominent opposition politicians by Sulaimani security forces

“UNAMI has been closely following the judicial proceedings against Mr. Shaswar Abdulwahid and Mr. Lahur Sheikh Jangi and his colleagues in Sulaymaniyah. UNAMI has received reports that raise concerns regarding due process and the protection of fundamental rights in these proceedings. I,” Frank Revuelto-Lanao, Head of UNAMI's Regional office in Erbil, said at an event in Erbil.

“It is important to ensure that these concerns are addressed to uphold the principles of justice and strengthen public confidence in the judicial system,” he added.

Abdulwahid, leader of the Kurdistan Region’s main opposition New Generation Movement (NGM), was arrested by Sulaimani security forces in mid-August, following a judicial decree dated August 3 that revealed the NGM leader had been sentenced in absentia to six months in prison under Article 431 of the Iraqi Penal Code, which pertains to making serious threats against others, their property, or their reputation. However, the court later reduced the term to five months.

Lahur Talabany, the head of Baray Gal party (People's Front), is a former co-president of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). He was arrested in late August following a violent standoff between his armed loyalists and security personnel. Sulaimani security forces (Asayish) then released what they said were confessions from a group linked to Talabany, detailing a plot to assassinate PUK leader Bafel Talabani. Baray Gal has denied the accusations.

The UNAMI official was speaking at a forum organized by the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Office of the Coordinator for International Advocacy (OCIA) after it published a report on the government's efforts and activities, presenting statistics in various fields, including human rights.

The report highlighted the KRG's most prominent practical steps in implementing the national comprehensive plan for human rights.

"The Kurdistan Regional Government's plan for human rights is a comprehensive effort within its governance framework to advance the implementation rate of recommendations and compliance with international conventions,” said the report.

Revuelto-Lanao said the KRG has provided its commitment to improve human rights.

“In its resolve to protect human rights, the Kurdistan Regional Government has demonstrated its commitment to take legislative and policy measures to advance human rights and institutionalize protection which also remain on the agenda of the Kurdistan Regional Parliament,” he said.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/231020252

[Anthea]

Lahur Talabany's party calls on foreign diplomats to speak up

Baray Gal called on foreign missions in the Kurdistan Region to speak up against the violent arrest of its leader Lahur Talabany

"We call on all the representatives of countries that have consulates and representations in the Kurdistan Region as well as the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) not to be silent in the face of these uncivilized and terrorist acts and take legal and frank stances," read the statement.

The party noted that Lahur Talabany holds several official positions, including his parliamentary membership. Lawmakers have parliamentary immunity.

Baray Gal said that Lahur Talabany and others were arrested after five hours of "resistance" against security forces. It said it is holding Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leader Bafel Talabani accountable for the unrest and responsible for the safety of all who were detained

Lack of funds cripple campaign of Lahur Talabany’s party

The People’s Front (Baray Gal), whose leader Lahur Talabany is currently imprisoned, said on Saturday that it cannot afford a physical campaign for Iraq’s parliamentary elections. The majority of its campaign is being conducted online

Baray Gal “has no money for election campaigning,” Shadman Mala Hassan, a senior party member, told Rudaw on Saturday.

“We haven't hung posters in any city and it's still not clear whether we can conduct public activities or not,” he said. The party’s candidates are running their campaigns on social media.

Hassan also claimed that security forces in Sulaimani, Halabja and Kirkuk, where the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) is dominant, is putting pressure on those campaigning for Baray Gal.

Exactly what the Bafel Talabani did in the election

The police have denied the charge

“The police have not prevented any party or candidate and we are not aware that any other security force has done this,” a senior security official told Rudaw on the condition of anonymity.

Lahur Talabany, the head of Baray Gal party, is a former co-president of the PUK. He was arrested in August following a violent standoff between his armed loyalists and security personnel. Sulaimani security forces (Asayish) then released what they said were confessions from a group linked to Talabany, detailing a plot to assassinate PUK leader Bafel Talabani. Baray Gal has denied the accusations.

The charges against the Baray Gal leader are related to criminal conspiracy and murder.

Tensions have been high between cousins Bafel Talabani and Lahur Talabany since 2021 when Bafel forced him out of the PUK leadership. Talabany went on to form his own party, Baray Gal, which stands in opposition to the PUK and currently holds two seats in the Kurdistan Parliament.

Speaking at a forum in Erbil on Tuesday, Bafel Talabani said the evidence - including Lahur’s televised admission of running “a militia” - was “overwhelming” and “cannot be forged.”

Campaigning for Iraq’s parliamentary election began on October 3 and will continue until November 8. The vote will be held on November 11. Official data shows that 7,768 candidates, representing 31 alliances, 38 parties, 23 independent campaigns and 56 quota seat contenders are vying for spots in the 329-seat Iraqi parliament.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/11102025