The relatives of detained journalist Bashdar Baziani expressed concern about the lack of information regarding his whereabouts and health in a statement posted on Baziani's account which was removed few hours later.
Their phones and some computers were confiscated, and their office was shut.
Dana Salih, Sardasht Hama Salih, and Nabaz Shekhani were released on bail on March 1, but Baziani remained in custody until Wednesday afternoon. The next day, Salih was summoned back to the security forces and re-arrested, sources told KirkukNow.
Kurdistan security forces arrested four journalists from the new digital outlet Media21 on February 28 in the eastern Iraqi city of Sulaymaniyah, confiscating their phones and taking them from their homes, says the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists CPJ.The journalists were identified as Bashdar Bazyani, Dana Salih, Sardasht HamaSalih, and Nabaz Shekhani.
Security forces closed the outlet’s office in Sulaymaniyah on March 1, saying it lacked a license, confiscated several computers, and ordered staff not to return to work, according to two sources who spoke to CPJ on condition of anonymity, citing fear of retaliation.
“Authorities’ arrest of four journalists and the forced closure of Media21’s office is a direct attack on press freedom in Iraqi Kurdistan,” said CPJ Program Director Carlos Martinez de la Serna in New York.
“Authorities must immediately release journalist Bashdar Bazyani, drop charges against all four journalists, and allow the outlet to resume operations.”
On February 9 and 24, the Security forces of Erbil and Sulaymaniya conducted a series of arrests and harassment against journalists and media outlets covering the demonstrations of teachers and employees for delay of monthly salaries by the KRG in the "Degala" and Arabt towns.
The local and international media outlets, organizations, advocates and lawmakers have expressed their grave concern that press freedom is increasingly under threat in the IKR.
The Metro Center for Journalists Rights and Advocacy reported 182 cases of violations against journalists and media channels in the IKR, including 24 cases of journalists arrested without court warrant, compared to 249 violations in 2023.
According to CPJ sources, the arrests and shutdown are linked to a Media21 interview with the sister of a Kurdistan Regional Government official regarding a family dispute. The official filed a lawsuit after Bazyani messaged him about the interview ahead of publication.
head of the Sulaymaniyah branch of the Kurdistan Journalists Syndicate, Karwan Anwar, told CPJ that the journalists were charged with defamation under Article 433 of the penal code, which provides for an unspecified prison term and/or a fine.
Media21, where the four journalists were employed and launched on February 21, 2025, released a statement condemning the “unjust and illegal”.
“These individuals are key members of our investigative team and were arrested while carrying out their journalistic duties,” the statement said.
However, Media21 has not updated their website since then.
