Sherwan Sherwani Sentenced to Four More Years

On July 20, the Erbil Criminal Court sentenced journalist Sherwan Sherwani to another four years in prison. He is currently already serving six years in jail for his journalism work exposing corruption and was due for release in September.

After verdict was delivered in his court trial , Sherwan Sherwani said:

"I am not broken. Rather, it is those who frantically oppose my will, resolve and vitality who are truly broken. The fraudsters are those wielding power through fabricated elections, stolen money, and illegitimate authority."

CPT Iraqi Kurdistan is exceptionally concerned by political interference in the KRG judiciary system. This system, which attempts to convey an illusion of fair and impartial justice, has routinely been complicit in the KRG’s political-based punishment of journalists and activists. CPT-IK calls upon the KRG’s ruling bodies to cease interference in the judiciary system and practice their claims of freedom of the press and expression in the region.