Political observer, journalist, and Stêrk TV program presenter Hêmin Mamend was the victim of an armed attack in Sulaymaniyah in the evening hours of September 2. Hit by at least two bullets, the journalist was seriously wounded as a result of the attack and taken to the hospital for treatment.
In a press statement in front of the Sulaymaniyah Courthouse, Hêmin Mamend said: “The KDP drove me out of my father’s and my grandfather’s place. It sent a group of 10 people to Sulaymaniyah and tried to kill me.”
The journalist stated that there were four key figures in the group of ten, three of whom belonged to Zêrevanî forces and were the bodyguards of an KDP official.
Hêmin Mamend continued: “I demand that all journalists, the international community, the Human Rights Commission, the Iraqi government, international courts, and all embassies not ignore this case. This case is not about a personal or political figure. It is about the murder of a journalist.”
Rêzan Şêx Dilêr, one of Hêmin Mamend’s lawyers, stated: “Those people who came to Sulaymaniyah and carried out this attack later fled to Kelar, and three of the suspects whom the group asked for help were detained. They were later released by the court.”
Rêzan Şêx Dilêr asked the government to act on the documents they received to arrest the main perpetrators.