July recorded one of the most repressive and aggressive periods of the year for journalists and activists by governmental authorities and entities. During the month, there were nine arrests, one attempted arrest, one killing, seven injuries, and four incidents in which at least 18 journalists were obstructed from performing their work. This escalation in repression coincided with a rise in activism and media coverage focusing on key grievances, including delays in salary payments, inadequate access to basic services, and growing tensions over land disputes between tribe leaders and allegations of preferential treatment by the government in how the disputes were resolved.
Further analysis and communication with local security forces indicate that security authorities are concerned about demonstrations being unsafe due to regional instability, and that such events could be vulnerable to outside interference. However, the timing of these violations and acts of aggression coincides with elections scheduled for later this year, a period during which government authorities and political parties are more sensitive to criticism, public demonstrations, opposition activity, and independent media.
List of Incidents
July 1st, 2025
Dilshad Shahban Zebary
Dilshad Zebary is a social media activist from the district of Akre known for criticizing government corruption and the delay of governmental salary payments. He was arrested on July 1st, 2025 for his criticisms online and detained until his release on July 8th, 2025.
July 9th, 2025
Westga News & NRT Journalists
Journalists from Westga and NRT media networks were arrested, assaulted, and threatened while reporting on violent clashes between the Harki tribe and security forces in Erbil governorate. Rizgar Kamil, a reporter for Westga News, was arrested while covering the conflict. He was detained for 24 hours and later released on bail. NRT News journalists Taif Adil Salim and Rayan Sidqi Ahmed were also arrested during their coverage. Both were reportedly beaten and tortured while in custody, and were held in a bathroom before being released on bail after 24 hours of detention. Taif Salim also later received threats via Whatsapp as a result of his journalism work.
July 10th and 13th, 2025
Hasan Rahman Sarbarzy: Protester Killed, Two Injured as Security Forces Open Fire During Electricity Protests in Sarnaw Village
On July 10th, residents of Sarnaw village in the Warte sub-district of Erbil governorate organized a demonstration to protest the lack of electricity in their area. In response, authorities pledged to resolve the issue within two days. On July 13th, after no resolution was found, residents of Sarnaw village protested again. While attempting to disperse the demonstrators a member of the security forces opened fire, killing Hasan Rahman and injuring two others.
July 14th, 2025
Amanj Ahmed Warty
On July 14th, three security vehicles attempted to arrest journalist and activist Amanj Warty, following his public advocacy for the arrest of the individual responsible for the killing of Hasan Rahman during a recent demonstration. However, Amanj was not at home at the time of the attempted arrest. In the days that followed, ongoing communication between village representatives and government officials led to the security forces withdrawing their efforts to apprehend him.
July 14th, 2025
Erbil Protest & Press Conference
During a demonstration in Ankawa, journalists from NRT (Herish Qadir, Ali Abdulhadi, Azad Saeed), Spedia TV (Hiwa Faqiany, Nabaz Gurzaiy, Muhamad Ganjo), Westga News (Shahin Fuad), and Apora News (Ahmed Shakhawan) were prevented from reporting. Some were beaten, insulted, and had their equipment confiscated. Additionally, following a press conference on the disputes between the Iraqi government and the KRG over salaries, activists Rahd Raffat and Bayad Ali were arrested and later released the same day. Furthermore, Apora News staff (Diako Huseen, Masoud Rasul, Taib Radha) and
Zoom News staff (Karwan Hama Salih, Ismaeel Muhamad, Sherwan Mawlud) were insulted by security forces and had their belongings confiscated, which were returned by the end of the day.
July 16th, 2025
Shwan Sabir Mustafa
On July 16th, Shwan Sabir Mustafa, a legal investigator for the KRG Public Prosecution Presidency, was attacked by armed individuals in civilian clothing. He was beaten for more than five minutes and threatened with death if he continued to criticize the government. Two days prior to the attack, Shwan had posted on his Facebook page, calling for Prime Minister Masrour Barzani to resign. He filed a police complaint a few days later, but no arrests have been made.
July 22nd and July 25th, 2025
NRT News Staff
On July 22nd, NRT News staff were prevented by security forces from covering a fire that broke out in a local shopping mall in Sulaymaniyah. Despite attempting to report from the scene, journalists were denied access and obstructed from performing their duties. A few days later, on July 25th, NRT News journalists faced similar restrictions while attempting to cover demonstrations by residents of Khabat. Security forces again intervened, preventing the media team from reporting on the events.
July 23rd, 2025
Ava Media Staff
On July 23rd, Ava Media staff Zhiwar Abdulrahman and Mihamad Saeed were arrested in Sulaymanyiah while reporting. They were released after one hour of questioning.
July 27th, 2025
Omed Barushky
On July 27th, 2025, journalist and activist Omed Barushky was scheduled to be released after serving six months in prison. However, the Duhok Misdemeanor Court extended his sentence by an additional six months, citing a prior 2021 conviction. In both cases, Omed was charged under the Misuse of Technology Law No. 6 (2008), a law frequently used to prosecute and punish journalists and activists.
July 28th, 2025
Shadost Farhad
On July 28th, Zoom News reporter Shadost Farhad was arrested in Sulaymaniyah over alleged false reporting regarding the salaries of security forces. He was released the following day.
Updated Information on the Case of Sherwan Sherwani
Sherwan Sherwani was one of a group of journalists and activists arrested by Duhok security forces in late 2020 in connection with protests against government corruption. In February 2021, he and four others were put on trial for “endangering the national security of the Kurdistan Region.” They were found guilty and sentenced to six years in jail. On July 20th, 2023, Sherwan Sherwani was again tried and convicted in Erbil Criminal Court for falsifying and forging documents. CPT-IK observed and monitored all his trials and documented numerous violations and concerns.
Sherwan Sherwani was set to finish his sentence and be released on September 9th, 2025 after nearly five years in prison. However, two new cases were filed against him that will likely prevent his release. Sherwan will be tried on August 19th, 2025 months after denying a release and compensation offer by security representatives if he stopped criticizing the government. One complaint was filed by a Erbil Adult Prison security member in late 2022. The complaint was filed using Article 229 of the Iraqi Penal Code (Law No. 111 of 1969) that addresses the offense of assaulting a public official.
Article 229 states:
“Any person who insults or threatens an official or other public employee or council or official body in the execution of their duties or as a consequence of those duties is punishable by a period of detention not exceeding 2 years or by a fine not exceeding 200 dinars.
The penalty will be a period of detention not exceeding 3 years plus a fine or by one of those penalties if such insult or threat is directed at a judge or legal or administrative court or council carrying out a legal function in the execution of their duties or as a consequence of those duties.
Additionally, there was another complaint filed by another prisoner under Article 413. Article 413 of the Iraqi Penal Code (Law No. 111 of 1969) deals with causing harm or injury to another person—specifically, intentional assault leading to injury.
CPT-IK is highly concerned about the timing of these complaints. Additionally, CPT-IK has attended the court trials of all Badinan Prisoners and documented concerns in previous trials, highlighting that the judiciary system appears vulnerable to interference by government officials and is being used to unjustly punish journalists and activists — as was the case with all Badinan prisoners.
Recommendations
Demonstrations are a fundamental right of civil society and a protected human right, serving as crucial mechanisms through which communities can express grievances, demand accountability, and advocate for change through peaceful means.
Similarly, journalism is a cornerstone of freedom of expression and the right to information, both of which are protected under Law No. 35 of 2007 passed by the Iraqi Kurdistan Parliament. This law affirms the role of the press in ensuring transparency and enabling public access to information.
Efforts to suppress demonstrations or silence journalists through intimidation, violence, or arbitrary detention constitute clear violations of fundamental rights. The government should allow peaceful demonstrations to take place and allow journalists to carry out their work freely.
