Sulaimani Court Sentences Lahur Sheikh Jangi to Five Years and Three Months in Prison
Lahur’s brother, Polad, received three years and six months, while five other defendants were also sentenced and two detainees were acquitted in the Lalezar Hotel case
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — The Sulaimani Criminal Court II on Thursday sentenced Lahur Sheikh Jangi, head of the People’s Front, "Baray Gal" to five years and three months in prison in connection with the Lalezar Hotel case, while his brother, Polad Sheikh Jangi, received a three-year-and-six-month sentence, Kurdistan24 correspondent Aram Bakhtiar reported from the court.
The court also sentenced five other defendants: Rebwar Hamid Haji Ghalib to two years in prison; Rebwar Qudrat, Peshawa Hassan, and Renwar Zryan to three years and six months each; and Aras Hama Ali Sarbast to one year and six months.
Two other detainees, identified as Kaywan and Omar Sheikh, were acquitted by the court, according to Kurdistan24’s correspondent.
The defendants were tried under Article 56 of the Iraqi Penal Code, which concerns an agreement between two or more people to commit one or more crimes.
Saman Hama Ahmed, a member of Lahur Sheikh Jangi’s defense team, told Kurdistan24 exclusively that the lawyers would appeal Thursday’s verdict once the court issues the full written ruling, expected next week.
He said the defense team intends to examine the legal grounds and evidence underpinning the sentence and challenge the decision if the evidence does not establish the alleged crime under the law. Ahmed added that the defense has one month to appeal the ruling.
He also noted that Sheikh Jangi faces a separate case under Article 406 of the Iraqi Penal Code, concerning the alleged murder at the Lalezar Hotel, which is scheduled for a hearing on Oct. 28. He said that case is distinct from the one decided on Thursday and could result in a separate court ruling.
The case dates back to the early hours of Aug. 22, 2025, when Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) commando and counterterrorism forces raided the Lalezar Hotel in Sulaimani.
The operation was followed by approximately four hours of armed clashes between the security forces and members of the People’s Front’s special force, during which several fighters on both sides were killed or wounded.
Lahur Sheikh Jangi, his brother Polad, and dozens of others were arrested during the operation. Lahur and some of the other detainees had remained in custody since their arrests.
Kurdistan24’s correspondent reported that the seven previous hearings in the case had been postponed because judges were continuing their investigations. Testimony was also taken from 12 detainees during earlier sessions, a process that required additional time.
A separate hearing is scheduled for Oct. 28, when 22 defendants, including Lahur Sheikh Jangi, are due to stand trial under Article 406 of the Iraqi Penal Code.