Kurdistan MP Kidnapped for Criticizing KDP Leader Barzani

London – Sunday, 29 June 2025

Kurdistan Region MP Sipan Amêdî, a member of the New Generation (Naway Nwe) parliamentary faction, was kidnapped today by security forces in Duhok Governorate while carrying out his parliamentary duties.

According to a statement by his party, the MP was “kidnapped and taken to an unknown location” after allegedly criticizing the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). His detention marks a serious violation of parliamentary immunity and free speech.

Kurdfile Media strongly condemns this unlawful detention, asserting that no member of parliament should face intimidation, arrest, or pressure for expressing political views.

According to Article 24 of the Kurdistan Parliament’s Internal Bylaws, MPs are protected from legal action or arrest without parliamentary approval:

“An MP enjoys full freedom of speech and expression during official duties and may not be detained without parliamentary consent.”

Kurdfile reminds the public that only the Parliament Presidency has the authority to issue a legal order for such action, and no security agency, police station, or intelligence unit may bypass this legal process.

This arrest follows a similar incident on Thursday, June 26, when Ali Hama Salih, head of the “Halwestiyan” bloc, was arrested by security forces in Sulaimani though he was released later the same day.

Kurdfile Media urges the immediate protection of MP Sipan Amêdî and calls on the Kurdistan Parliament to take a firm stand against this growing pattern of political repression.