5 April 2011: Torture, Arrests and Instability in Iraqi Kurdistan

·         After a heavy torture and 3 days arrest, Waleed Hama Khalid, an undergraduate and photographer of Halabja Fine Arts Institute is released from jail. His uncle claims that he is “HALF DEAD”. The person who was in charge of the torture was “Mumble Goran” (from Lvin, Hawlati and Standard websites)

·         See the below video on how, last night, Suleimany Asaysish attacked the home of the Islamic Cleric who led a Friday Prayer at the Suleimany Freedom Square.  (from Hawlati website and youtube.com)

·         The Temporary Committee of Suleimany Freedom Square asks for immediate resignation of Kurdistan President, KRG and Kurdistan Parliament. (from various sources)

·         The Organizing Committee for Demonstration in Erbil on Thursday, 7 April 2011, claims that the Governor’s Office is trying to bypass the local law in replying to them through delaying acknowledgment of receipt of their demand by 24 hours (various news sources).

·         Arresting the Islamic Religious Leaders who gave speeches in the Suleimany Freedom Square were through instructions of both Massoud Barzani and Jalal Talabani. (from Standard website)

·         Today, 5 April 2011, the leaders of the 3 opposition Kurdish parties will meet to discuss how to react collectively to the negligence of the Kurdish authorities to their joined statement of 3 March 2011. (from Standard website)

·         Michael Rubin to Suleimany Freedom Square Demonstrators: “America did not spend billions of dollars and sacrifice more than 4,000 Americans to enrich Kurdish Leaders and Minister of Oil. We did not seek to replace a big Saddam with a little Saddam”. (from Standard website)

·         An arrest order is issued for the former Suleimany Governor, Dana Majeed. Goran Opposition party considers it as a political action against its members. (from Lvin website)

·          Now, the 2 leading parties in Iraqi Kurdistan do not consider “dismantling the current government” as a non-negotiable point. (from sbiey website) 4 committees will be formed to return the public assets to the government, one committee in each of the 3 governorates and one in Garmyan will be formed (from Rwdaw website).

·         Erbil authorities do not let Suleimany passengers of a German Flight get into Erbil International Airport. The German Plane had to land in Erbil airport due to a sandstorm in Suleimany. All passengers were transported in 5 buses by road to Erbil, the checkpoint didn’t allow passengers to get into the city (from Awena website).