Personal assassination of journalist Mohammed Fatih
Ladies and Gentlemen
I was targeted when I published articles against the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) authorities.
In early 2020 to 2021, a group of teenagers attacked my house and broke the door and I have not repaired it yet as proof of the severity of the attack!
After I informed the security forces and the Metro Center condemned the attack and Deputy Prime Minister Gubad Talabani promised to solve the problem, it was of no use. The attack continued for three months!
I was summoned to the Sulaimani General Security and they insulted and threatened me!
I was an active member of the Kurdistan Union of Journalists. Azad Hama Amin, the deputy head of the Kurdistan Union of Journalists, expelled me after insulting me and deleted my name from the union.
I was threatened inside Channel 8, the channel of Bafel Talabani, the leader of the Kurdistan National Union (KNU). After they promised to take me forever and solve my problems with the security forces, they insulted me and expelled me.
Karwan Anwar, the president of the Sulaimani Union, threatened to take me to court if I did not remain silent.
I have been informed that senior people in the Political Bureau and leadership of the PUK are opposed to me and hate me.
A senior Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) official promised to hire me in Ava channel on condition that I advertised for one of their members. “It is only time for Masrour Barzani to sign your name and you will work in Ava.
They have taken my matter to Masrour Barzani’s office and they have replied that they will not help this man.
I have also reached the office of President Nechirvan Barzani, but Rudaw has refused to work with me.
They told me that the videos I had released against the PUK and KDP had been sent to all media channels in the Kurdistan Region and no channel was willing to open my door.
They have tarnished my reputation and accused me of various names.
They have tarnished my reputation in Iraq as much as they can and told the Iraqi media that I am not a good person to work.
I have received dozens of threats from my friends that they will do everything bad to me if I don’t keep quiet.
Several people in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq have mediated for me, but they will not agree to lift the dictatorial embargo that has been oppressing me, my wife and four children for nearly three years and preventing me from working.
This action against us is the oppression of the family of a free and independent journalist and belongs to the ranks of dictatorship.
The violations against me have been condemned by several official journalistic bodies, including Al-Hurrah, the Iraqi Union of Journalists, the Metro Center and many others.
For almost three years, our lives have been in constant danger and we do not have enough livelihood. My relatives and friends often help me financially.
I issued a statement saying that if they did not reach out to us, I would try to commit suicide without anyone responding to my call.
Currently, only Rahman Gharib, the organizer of the Metro Center, is supporting us.
I have had my heart in my fist for almost three years and I don’t know how to spend my days worrying about my wife and children.
This is the price I pay for my freedom, independence, freedom of the press and freedom of expression. I hope they will find a solution for us.
My utmost respect and love
Journalist: Mohammed Fatih Hamid
Sulaimani – Kurdistan Region
20/11/2
