Journalist Faces Retaliation After Reporting on Corruption in Kurdistan
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Press freedom in Kurdistan faces yet another attack as the editor of Diplomatic Press has been summoned before a security court over a bizarre accusation—simply for reporting the outcome of a corruption case.
Daban Shadala, a former member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leadership and deputy head of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Relations Office, filed a defamation complaint against Diplomatic Press. His accusation? The outlet published a court decision confirming that he had lost a corruption lawsuit.
A Three-Year Battle for Truth
Three years ago, Diplomatic Press exposed a corruption case involving Shadala. In retaliation, he filed a complaint against the magazine. After a lengthy legal battle, the court ruled in favor of Diplomatic Press, dismissing Shadala’s claims.
Last year, the outlet publicly announced its legal victory, reporting the court’s decision. Now, Shadala has launched a new complaint, claiming defamation—not for false reporting, but for merely revealing that he lost the case.
Weaponizing the Legal System Against Journalists
The editor-in-chief of Diplomatic Press was summoned before a security investigation judge and released on bail of 1,500,000 Iraqi dinars pending trial. He denounced the case as an effort to punish independent journalism.
“This complaint is absurd. We only published the court’s decision, which we have every right to do. This is nothing more than an attempt to intimidate journalists and silence critical reporting,” said the Diplomatic Press editor.
Shadala Faces Separate Legal Case for Threatening His Sister
While Shadala aggressively pursues legal action against journalists, he himself remains implicated in an unresolved court case. He stands accused of threatening to kill his own sister, a case that has yet to proceed in court.
Despite the serious nature of the allegations against him, there has been no significant legal progress on this case, raising concerns about selective justice and the use of the legal system to silence critics while protecting powerful figures.
A Dangerous Precedent for Journalism in Kurdistan
The case against Diplomatic Press highlights the increasing suppression of press freedom in Kurdistan and Iraq. Journalists who investigate corruption and expose abuses of power face harassment, legal threats, and physical danger.
The use of security courts to prosecute journalists is a disturbing trend, turning the justice system into a tool of revenge against independent media. Press freedom advocates warn that such cases set a dangerous precedent, sending a chilling message to journalists across the region.
This latest attack on the press underscores the urgent need for stronger protections for independent journalism in Kurdistan—before truth itself becomes a crime.