Seven thousand armed forces positioned throughout Suleimaniya, secret police detain 1000 students
CPTnet | 19 April 2011
Following sixty-two days of continuous protest in Suleimaniya Iraq against corruption within the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), the government has revoked legal permission for protest, and a source within the armed Peshmerga Forces told CPT that forces received orders to shoot to kill any demonstrators today.
The otherwise nonviolent demonstrations in Suleimaniya at Azadi (Freedom) Square ended in major violence on 17 and 18 April. On both days, security forces formed a ring around Azadi Square. Claiming groups of young men throwing rocks had provoked them, the forces entered the square containing about 1000 unarmed and nonviolent demonstrators, shooting tear gas and live bullets. They also beat people with batons as they tried to clear square of all demonstrators. At 6:30 p.m., 18 April, the armed forces burned down the stage and platform used by speakers at the demonstration.
Nine people have died and close to 1000 have been injured since the demonstrations began on 17 February 2011. Hundreds have been arrested and disappeared. The independent television station, NRT was burned to the ground in February and authorities have detained, beaten, kidnapped, and tortured hundreds of journalists.
Today, 19 April, at 11:00 a.m., the Asaish (secret police) took hostage approximately 1000 students from Suleimaniya University who were planning to demonstrate at the Suleimaniya Courthouse.
Seven thousand Peshmerga, Asaish, and Emergency Protection Forces loyal to PUK party leaders are positioned throughout the city of Suleimaniya as of this morning, 19 April.
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