Suleyman Ahmed, editor of Rojnews' Arabic Service, was detained and kidnapped by the KDP security forces at the Pêşxabûr (Sêmalka) Border Gate while returning from visiting his family in Northern and Eastern Syria on October 25. While many journalist organizations condemned the kidnapping of Ahmed, from whom no news has been received since then, neither his family nor his colleagues have been given clear information about his fate by the Federal Regional Administration.

 

Making a statement 6 days after Ahmed's detention, Duhok Public Order, affiliated with KDP, claimed that Ahmed "has nothing to do with journalism."

 

Rojnews Editor Binary Hidayet spoke about the situation of their colleague Süleyman Ahmed, from whom they have not been heard from for 22 days.

 

Stating that he was arbitrarily detained at the border gate while returning from his friends' father's funeral, Binary Hidayet said: "He went to Rojava Kurdistan legally, then returned to Bashur legally and was kidnapped by the KDP security guard at the border gate without any legal problems or judicial decision. Efforts are continuing for his release; however, KDP does not allow neither his lawyer nor his family to visit him." .

 

'WE REJECT THE ALLEGATIONS'

 

Condemning the Duhok Public Order's statements about Ahmed, Hidayet said: "The allegations put forward are contrary to reality. An international media organization contacted the Duhok Public Order and the security forces. The Public Order first said that it was not theirs, but they made a statement an hour later. They claimed that Süleyman Ahmed 'visited the PKK'. We reject these allegations. Süleyman Ahmed is a journalist. Ahmed is not the first or the last journalist to be kidnapped by the KDP. Everyone has seen that Wedat Hisên was martyred before because he worked for Rojnews. There are many similar examples." 

 

'THOSE WHO WRITE WITH FREE PEN ARE ACCUSED'

 

Drawing attention that the KDP is carrying out a similar pressure and orientation towards free press by the AKP government in Turkey. Rojnews editor Hidayet said: “Rojnews Agency does not comply with the rules and programs of the Barzani Family and does not make news according to them. For this reason, KDP is illegalizing Rojnews. It sees the journalist working at Rojnews as a criminal. KDP and AKP do not accept some facts, and those who write with a free pen and disagree with the KDP's view are accused of espionage. Everyone sees the AKP and KDP's policy towards journalists. According to them, it is normal for a young person to be kidnapped and tortured from anywhere in Kurdistan. Ahmed is a journalist, he should be released immediately and an explanation should be made about his situation."