SULAIMANIYAH: A court in Iraqi Kurdistan on Thursday extended the detention of opposition leader Shaswar Abdulwahid following his arrest last week, his party said.
Abdulwahid — who heads the New Generation party, which holds 15 of the 100 seats in the autonomous northern region’s parliament — was taken into custody on August 12.
His detention stemmed from a six-month prison sentence handed down in absentia after he repeatedly failed to attend hearings in a defamation case filed by a former MP, a judicial official said.
The opposition leader appeared before a judge on Thursday in a hearing attended by dozens of supporters, lawmaker Omed Mohammed of the New Generation party told AFP.
Abdulwahid’s lawyer had sought his release on bail, a request the judge denied.
Court spokesman Salah Hassan said the refusal was due to Abdulwahid’s failure to appear for hearings and questioning.
“This does not give the judge sufficient guarantees for a bail release... which could disrupt future proceedings,” he told AFP.
Abdulwahid has been arrested several times since he launched the party in 2017. He was also wounded in an assassination attempt.
The region’s ruling alliance of the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan has been criticized by human rights groups for its intolerance of dissent and for resorting to arbitrary arrests.
Abdulwahid’s trial was adjourned until August 28.
Iraqi Kurd court extends detention of opposition leader
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Iraqi Kurd court extends detention of opposition leader
- A court in Iraqi Kurdistan on Thursday extended the detention of opposition leader Shaswar Abdulwahid following his arrest last week
- His detention stemmed from a six-month prison sentence handed down in absentia after he repeatedly failed to attend hearings in a defamation case filed by a former MP
Jordanian king and Indonesian president to cooperate in stability efforts in Gaza
- Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto emphasized his country’s commitment to establishing an independent Palestinian state
- King Abdullah stressed the importance of dialogue to reduce tensions related to Iran and to support stability in Syria and Lebanon
LONDON: King Abdullah II and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto discussed cooperation in an effort to restore stability in the Palestinian coastal enclave of Gaza.
The meeting on Wednesday at Basman Palace in Amman focused on regional issues, particularly the support for achieving peace based on the two-state solution, and the commitment to protecting Palestinians in Gaza, according to Petra news agency.
King Abdullah praised Indonesia’s political position and highlighted its investments in regional projects as essential to enhancing collaboration.
Subianto emphasized his country’s commitment to establishing an independent Palestinian state, achieving lasting peace in the region, and ending the conflict in Gaza.
The talks highlighted the ties between Jordan and Indonesia, spanning over 75 years, and the commitment to enhancing cooperation in politics, economics, defense, business, energy, science, technology, and health.
King Abdullah stressed the importance of dialogue to reduce tensions related to Iran and support the Syrian Arab Republic and Lebanon in maintaining their security, sovereignty, and stability, Petra added.
Several Jordanian officials attended the talk, including Crown Prince Hussein, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Maj. Gen. Yousef Huneiti, Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh, and Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply, and Escort of Honour Yarub Qudah.
