Sulaymaniyah Asayish Directorate announces arrests in shooting of journalist Hemin Mamand

SULAYMANIYAH — The Asayish Directorate in Sulaymaniyah announced Thursday that it had arrested two suspected to be involved in the shooting of journalist and activist Hemin Mamand on Tuesday, saying the attack was organized with the aim of assassinating him.

The directorate said in a statement that security forces identified and detained those responsible for the Sept. 2 attack in the Aqari neighborhood.

According to the statement, the suspects, identified as residents of Erbil’s Bnaslawa area, opened fire on Mamand while riding a motorcycle, striking him twice before fleeing.

The Asayish added that an arrest warrant was issued by a judge under Article 31/406 of the Iraqi Penal Code.

Two additional suspects fled toward Erbil governorate and remain at large.

Mamand, host of the “Srinj” program on Sterk TV, was attacked shortly after airing the latest episode of his show. He has long been active in protests and civil campaigns. Rights groups said he was leaving a restaurant when gunmen targeted him. Rahman Gharib, head of the Metro Center for Journalists’ Rights and Advocacy, told 964media on Tuesday, “Hemin Mamand was struck by two bullets and is now receiving medical treatment at the hospital.”

The Asayish Directorate of Sulaymaniyah said further details about the plot and those involved will be released at a later time.