Kurdistan Region Security Council denies ‘absurd allegations’ by an Iraqi website

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC) released a statement Thursday in response to allegations published in an article by an Iraqi outlet, accusing KRSC of publicizing fake confessions.

On December 20, Niqash published an article accusing “the Kurdistan Region security forces of fake confessions from pre-captured terrorists,” a claim that was vehemenly denied by the Region’s Asaiysh Agency.

"After attacks in Kirkuk, security forces filmed a confession from one of the terrorists they captured. But it’s possible the 'terrorist' had already been in prison for over a year and that the confession is fake," the writer claimed.

KRSC responded that “The author of the article performed an inadequate investigation of absurd allegations leveled against Kurdistan's Asayish Agency.”

The statement added that Niqash did not contact Asaiysh Agency for additional information regarding the article, stating that “The premise is flawed and is based on false assumptions.”

“The claims in this article and local press are absurd and are part of narrow political interests, as the Asayish [security] forces continue to selflessly defend the Kurdistan Region, including Kirkuk,” the statement reads.

The KRSC called on Niqash to “issue an immediate retraction and apology.”

The statement also offered the background story explaining, “The terrorist in question, Ahmad Hussein Abdul-Rahman al-Azzi, was arrested in March 2014 by Asayish forces in Kirkuk and was apprehended in his brother's house and in possession of significant weapons and ammunition.”

His brother, Mohammed Hussein Abdul-Rahman al-Azzi, also known as Hemadi, is wanted by authorities and now remains in the Islamic State (IS)-held city of Hawija, western Kirkuk.

“Al-Azzi was transferred to a facility in Slemani Province and, four months later, returned to Kirkuk's Tesfirati Prison. He was released by Kirkuk's Judiciary in accordance with case number G223 on 5/7/2015 on claims the weapons and ammunition belonged to his brother,” the statement explained.

According to the KRSC’s statement, Al-Azzi made contact again with his brother and, on October 25 was arrested again in connection to the attack in Kirkuk.

On October 21, Peshmerga and Kirkuk security forces repelled an IS attack on different parts of Kirkuk, including the electricity office of Dubiz district in northwestern Kirkuk, Domiz neighborhood in southeastern Kirkuk and other areas in the province.

"The hasty release of criminals and terrorists remains a key problem for Kirkuk's security services. Tens individuals have made contact again with terrorists organizations," the statement concluded.

Editing by Ava Homa