IRAQ: Kurdish opposition leader from Iran assassinated in Erbil

ERBIL, Iraq — A leader of the Iranian Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI), Musa Babakhani, was assassinated in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), over the weekend. The KDPI, which is opposed to the Iranian regime, announced that Babakhani was assassinated in the Koli Soleimani Hotel in Erbil.

The General Directorate of Security in Erbil announced the immediate opening of an investigation into the circumstances of Babakhani’s assassination.

In its statement, the KDPI accused Iran of being involved in the incident, after Babakhni, a member of the party’s Central Committee, was kidnapped by two people, who the party said were linked to the Islamic Republic of Iran.

They indicated that Babakhani’s body was found with signs of torture.

A number of KDPI members have previously been subjected to kidnappings and assassinations by Iran. Reports by human rights organizations have documented that Iran has arrested nearly 400 members of the Kurdish opposition parties and political forces abroad.