Demands for release of Syriac youth detained by Iraqi authorities for participating in peaceful protest

BAGHDAD — During recent peaceful demonstrations in Iraq, Iraqi authorities arrested Abdul Masih Romeo Jan, a young Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian. The detention has raised concerns, prompting appeals for his release from various quarters.

Former MP and vice president of the Bethnahrin Patriotic Union (Huyodo Bethnahrin Athroyo, HBA) Joseph Sliwa posted a video via social media showing the detainee’s sister calling on the authorities to release her brother.

Abdul Masih’s sister and her family asked Sliwa for help conveying their message.

She also appealed to the security authorities and the Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia’ al-Sudani to investigate her brother’s case and release him as soon as possible. She indicated that their father has passed away from sadness due to his son’s absence and his elderly mother is in a deplorable condition for the same reason.

Sliwa declared that he does not believe that this Iraqi Christian youth is dangerous to the extent to be imprisoned in this era of democracy.

He also renewed his demand for the release of Abdul Masih Romeo Jan.