Kurdish-German Journalist Disappears in Baghdad, Fate Still Unknown

 

A Kurdish citizen of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Bakhtiar Ibrahim, who also holds German citizenship, has been missing since August 13, 2021, after visiting Baghdad from Germany. Ibrahim, a member of the Iraqi Union of Journalists, was last seen in a market in Baghdad. Despite efforts to locate him, his fate remains unknown.

Soran Omer, an Iraqi MP, expressed frustration over the lack of progress in the investigation, noting that since 2022, all parties involved have been reluctant to provide any information on Ibrahim’s whereabouts. Omer also criticized Germany for its silence, stating that the German government has not taken any significant action to determine the fate of its citizen.

This case highlights the ongoing dangers faced by journalists in Iraq, where safety remains a critical concern. Despite numerous similar cases, authorities continue to neglect the protection of journalists, leaving many vulnerable to violence and disappearance. The international community’s inaction in these situations further exacerbates the risks faced by those in the profession.