Erbil Court Extends Sherwan Sherwani’s Imprisonment by 4.5 Years

Erbil – KurdFile Media

An Erbil court has once again sentenced journalist Sherwan Sherwani to an additional four years and five months in prison, extending his detention that began in 2020.

According to his legal team, the case had been concealed from both them and his family for months. They say the charge was suddenly brought forward just as Sherwani approached his expected release date in September.

The latest conviction falls under Article 229 of the Iraqi Penal Code, based on an officer’s claim that Sherwani had “insulted” him while on duty. Sherwani’s lawyers argue that this case had previously been dismissed as “disappeared” from court records, but was deliberately revived at the last moment to prolong his imprisonment.

During today’s trial in Erbil, Sherwani’s family members, activists, and MPs were reportedly assaulted as they attempted to attend the session. Observers and rights groups say the incident highlights ongoing restrictions on transparency and public access to politically sensitive trials in the Kurdistan Region.

Sherwan Sherwani, a prominent Kurdish journalist, has been imprisoned by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) authorities since 2020. He has faced two previous convictions during his detention, and this latest sentence marks the third ruling against him.

The new ruling has sparked widespread criticism from journalists’ unions, activists, and human rights defenders, who describe it as part of a systematic effort to silence critical voices in the Kurdistan Region.