The data used in this Monument is drawn from a database of attacks on the press compiled by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Due to the time needed to verify each new case, it is possible that recent events have not yet been added to the Monument.
Investigating the killing of Sardasht Osman
The Assassination of Sardasht Osman: Debunking the Official Story
On 4 May 2010, Sardasht was kidnapped in Erbil and assassinated because of his writings. Twelve years later, no one has been arrested and convicted for it. Our investigation team has looked at the case, revealing serious flaws in the official investigatio
ENGLISH: The full investigation, in English, can be downloaded here.
ARABIC: The full investigation, in Arabic, can be downloaded here.
KURDISH: The full investigation, in Kurdish, can be downloaded here.
Sardasht Osman was a courageous and talented 23-year-old citizen journalist, who wrote about corruption and political mismanagement within the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) in a period of political upheaval. On 13 December 2009, Sardasht wrote a satirical article accusing the family of President Barzani of corruption and nepotism, a ‘red line’ in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). The article, titled: ‘I Am In Love With Barzani’s Daughter’, juxtaposed the hardships of average Kurdish citizens with the lavish lifestyle of the Barzani family.
On 4 May 2010, Sardasht was kidnapped in Erbil and assassinated because of his writings. Twelve years later, no one has been arrested and convicted for his kidnap and assassination, and there are serious allegations that officials linked to the Barzani family were involved in the murder.
Our investigation team interviewed dozens of witnesses, analyzed official case files and statements, and reviewed satellite imagery and photographic evidence. The aim was to scrutinize the official investigation and unearth new findings concerning Sardasht’s murder. This report reveals serious flaws in the official investigation into the kidnap and assassination of Sardasht, and finds credible allegations that Kurdish authorities were directly involved in the murder.
Free Press Unlimited's mission is to ensure that independent news and information remains available to everyone. This helps people control their living conditions, develop themselves and monitor their governments. To achieve this, Free Press Unlimited collaborates with local media organisations and journalists, particularly in countries with limited (press)freedom. These media and journalists are close to their audience and therefore the best guarantee for a sustainable, professional and diverse media landscape. Free Press Unlimited's vision is short and to the point: People deserve to know. All over the world.