KRG to Amnesty: Detained Ezidi woman resposnsible for death of three peshmerga
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) - The detained Kurdish Yezidi (Ezidi) woman assisted the Islamic State (IS) and caused the death of three Kurdish Peshmerga forces, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) responded to Amnesty International on Monday.
Amnesty released a report on Sunday, criticizing the KRG for "arbitrary detention" of an Ezidi woman whom Amnesty claims has been arrested for almost two years without trial after she was freed from IS.
Bassema Darwish, a 34-year-old mother of three from the Babira village in the province of Nineveh been detained by in the Region since October 2014.
“Yezidi women abducted by IS have suffered truly harrowing abuses including rape and sexual slavery. In the case of Bassema Darwish, liberation from IS captivity did not put an end to her mistreatment," said Philip Luther, Middle East and North Africa Director at Amnesty International.
"Instead of detaining her for nearly two years in violation of her rights, the authorities should ensure she receives medical and psychosocial assistance, as well as counselling, to help her overcome her ordeal in captivity,” Luther added.
In response to Amnesty, Head of the KRG's High Committee to Evaluate and Respond to International Reports Dindar Zebari confirmed that Darwish was arrested by Peshmerga in Zummar during the Peshmerga's operation in liberating the area.
Zebari said that the prisoner has received medical attention but has been rightfully detained for collaborating with the IS against Kurdish forces.
He maintained that freeing someone who has collaborated with IS is not a safe or wise decision and the investigation needs to be completed before a fair trial is held.
Zebari said Darwish was an accomplice with IS extremists because she tricked Peshmerga soldiers to enter an empty house as a result of which three soldiers lost their lives and many were wounded.
"Previously, Darwish collaborated with an IS emirs [leaders]. KRG security and Anti-terrorism Directorate continue investigating her case," Zebari said.
He also noted that International Red Cross (IRC) has continuously visited Darwish and is aware of her conditions.
Darwish gave birth to a child named Nour Hussein while she was held in detention by the Kurdish security in Erbil, Zebari revealed.
He explained that Amnesty International has been informed about the stable health condition of the Ezidi woman.
According to Zebari, Darwish has been arrested based on terror laws in the Kurdistan Region and her case continues to be investigated.
In 2015, over 83 suspected IS members were freed by the KRG security. Now, more than 400 IS suspects are detained by the Kurdish security and the number might change after the investigation ends, according to Zebari.
About releasing Darwish, Zebari stated that government cannot interfere in the justice system based on the request of an international organization.
"Government as an executive cannot interfere in those decisions because the judges make such decidions," he concluded.
Editing by Ava Homa