Assistant judge’s trial postponed

In 2017, the Union of Judges filed multiple lawsuits against Hatsyar Wshyar for “using unseemly phrases on his private social media accounts targeting certain individuals” under Article 236 of the penal code. He frequently published posts on his social media accounts, criticizing the justice system in Sulaymaniyah and what he saw as corrupt practices in the courthouse. He was detained for 50 days and sentenced to four months in prison, during which time he was dismissed from his position. He was released in January 2018 and pursued legal action against the courthouse for firing him.

On 24 November 2019, the Asayish forces arbitrarily arrested him during his court hearing, searched his family home, taking official documents related to his case, his mobile phone and laptop. Hatsyar Wshyar remained in solitary confinement with the Asayish for seven days, where he was reportedly blindfolded and tortured. He was transported directly by the Asayish to face a closed hearing where he was sentenced to one year in prison for “misuse of electronics” under article two of the penal code.

He is currently on hunger strike and is refusing family visits because he is too weak to transport himself to the visitation room. He awaits trial on 20 April 2020, and 26 April 2020.