ERBIL — The Kurdistan Judicial Council and Court of Cassation on Saturday issued a statement to address the concerns raised after a recent ruling in which the German and US Consulate Generals in Erbil were mentioned in the context of the case.
Earlier this week, the Erbil Court of Cassation approved the six year sentences for five people on charges of espionage and attempts to undermine the security and stability of the Kurdistan Region.
In the context of the case, US and German consulate generals were mentioned, which led to statements from the diplomatic missions expressing concerns over the referencing.
“Mentioning the Consulate Generals of the United States of America and Germany were within the evidences that the convicts confessed,” reads a statement by the Judicial Council.
“We emphasize that referring to these consulates was based on the statements made by the convicts, and that the court has not accused them [the diplomatic missions].”
Meanwhile, the Judicial Council of Kurdistan Region has expressed willingness to work with the diplomatic missions to present all the documents, evidences, and details of the case based on the active laws and the diplomatic relations.
The council also criticizes the reactions and attempts to influence the court’s decision, saying that all the sides should respect the independent authority of the Kurdistan’s judicial system which has made the ruling based on vetted documents and evidences.
However, the ruling is not the final decision, as the statement explains, noting that it is open to another appeal based on the law.