Protest Held in Memory of Sardasht Osman on 15th Anniversary of His Assassination

Manchester, May 5, 2025  Activists and civil society groups gathered today to mark the 15th anniversary of the assassination of journalist Sardasht Osman, whose abduction and murder remain one of the most high-profile cases of suppressed free speech in the Kurdistan Region.

Sardasht was kidnapped in broad daylight outside Salahaddin University in 2010 and found dead days later in Mosul. While initial blame was placed on Islamic groups, the Kurdish public has long held the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Barzani family responsible.

Organized by Dakok Organization, today’s gathering served as a platform to condemn ongoing crackdowns on freedom of expression. Speakers described Sardasht as a “martyr of free speech” and a “white revolution in a dark time,” criticizing the continued persecution of activists and journalists in the region.

“The authorities tried to silence one voice, but instead awakened thousands,” one speaker said.

Participants emphasized that Sardasht’s legacy lives on through those who continue to speak out against corruption and authoritarianism. The memorial served not just as remembrance, but also as a renewed call for justice and accountability.