Journalist Sherwan Sherwani, who has been in prison for five years, sent a message to the public through his lawyer. In his message, he drew attention to both his own situation and the situation of prisoners in KDP prisons.
The journalist stated the following in his message:
“25-30 people are held in each cell is designed for 10 people. We sleep on hard bunks in the cold of winter. Each person is given two blankets; there are no rugs, no heating, and no hot water. Hot water is only available for a few hours a week. Sometimes people can’t even wash their hair because the water gets cold immediately.”
The journalist remarked that the prison administration did not allow the use of stoves or electric heaters, nor did it permit blankets to be brought in from outside, adding: “Because of these restrictions and limitations, they can provide winter clothing only in the middle of summer.”
The detained journalist pointed out that these issues were just a few of the problems experienced in Erbil prison.
Criticizing the prison administration, Sherwan Sherwani said: “The brother of the General Director of Gewran Prison is preparing to receive the Mandela Award on the grounds that he modernized the prisons!”
Journalist Sherwan Sherwani, who has been imprisoned for over five years, had his sentence reduced by 50% in February 2022 by a decision of Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani. According to the decision, he was supposed to be released in September 2023 but saw his sentence extended each time for various reasons.
Sherwan Sherwani was sentenced to four years in prison on July 20, 2023, under Articles 298 and 295 of the Iraqi Penal Code.