ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) censured "disturbing footage" showing the mistreatment of detainees after the recent clashes in Sulaimani. The comments follow the arrest of Kurdish opposition figure Lahur Talabany in the Kurdistan Region’s eastern province on Friday. In a late Monday statement on X, the UN mission decried the “disturbing footage of detainees being mistreated after their arrest following the recent clashes” in Sulaimani. It reiterated its “call for the respect of human rights and due process, including for those taken in custody during these events.” Talabany, who leads the opposition People’s Front (Baray Gal) and is the former co-president of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), was detained after violent clashes broke out between his armed loyalists and local security forces. According to official figures, the four-hour standoff resulted in the deaths of three security personnel and injuries to 19 others, though some sources suggest the actual number of casualties may be higher. Rudaw also learned that at least one of Talabany’s loyalists was killed in the confrontation. Talabany was arrested alongside one of his brothers and an unspecified number of others. Initially charged under Article 56 of the Iraqi Penal Code for criminal conspiracy, he now reportedly faces additional charges, including premeditated murder. While UNAMI did not specify which footage it was referring to, videos showing Talabany and his associates being mishandled by security forces surfaced online following his arrest. The UN mission had earlier expressed concern over the violence, stating on Friday that it “regrets the loss of life and injuries resulting from the recent clashes.” It urged all parties to “exercise restraint, refrain from any actions that could endanger the lives of civilians, respect human rights, and ensure a fair and impartial judicial process in line with the provisions of the Constitution.” Speaking to Rudaw on Sunday, the European Union Ambassador to Iraq Thomas Seiler also addressed the deadly events in Sulaimani, calling the use of force “a serious setback” that “must not happen in a country that is on its way to democracy.” He added that the violence and loss of life was “absolutely deplorable,” emphasizing that political disagreements "must be free of violence and must be free of weapons." Importantly, the Presidency of the Public Prosecutor in the Kurdistan Region on Monday issued a statement directing its office in Sulaimani to follow up on the incident, ensuring that “the rights of everyone are safeguarded within the framework of the law and the constitution.” The statement emphasized that “everyone must abide by the law” and called on executive authorities to exercise diligence in enforcing court orders. It urged them to “observe the legal and constitutional principles of protecting the lives and dignity of citizens, safeguarding public and private property, and upholding the rights of the accused as stipulated in the law and the constitution.” The Prosecutor’s Office further cautioned media outlets and social media users to handle the situation responsibly and avoid actions that could further escalate tensions. Salam Abdulkhaliq, spokesperson for Sulaimani-based security forces (Asayish), claimed on Monday that Lahur Talabany and loyalists were planning to "assassinate" Bafel Talabani, leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and other figures. He added that the "confessions" of the arrested people will be released soon. RELATED: How the arrest of Lahur Talabany unfolded
