SULAIMANI – (ESTA) Behzad Khasrawi، a member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI)، refuted allegations on Sunday that he had been handed over to Iranian authorities by the Kurdistan Region Security Agency (Asayish).
The denial comes after Khasrawi was seen in a self-recorded video from his hometown in Saqez، in Iran (Rojhalat).
Earlier on Saturday، the Iranian opposition (KDPI) claimed in a statement that its member Khasrawi was detained by the Kurdistan Region Security Agency (Asayish) in the Kurdistan Region’s Sulaimani and later handed over to the Iranian authorities in order to be prosecuted.
In response، the Kurdistan Region Security Agency (Asayish) issued a statement clarifying that Khasrawi had been detained due to his lack of residency permits for the Kurdistan Region. The statement also emphasized that Khasrawi was not involved in any political activities.
“Over the past week، Rojhalat-based citizen Behzad Khasrawi was detained by our forces in Sulaimani، Kurdistan Region،” Asayish said in the statement on Saturday.
“Upon investigation، it was determined that Khasrawi lacked the necessary residency and accommodation permits for the Kurdistan Region، and he has no involvement in any political activities.”
“We want to emphasize that Khasrawi was voluntarily returned to Iran (Rojhalat) at his own request after signing a legal agreement، following the completion of legal procedures at Sulaimani’s Residency Directorate,’’ the statement said.
“We also refute all claims and allegations that the treatment of Khasrawi by the Asaish was politically motivated or that he was extradited to Iran،” it added.
Asayish further stated that they are committed to upholding universal principles and rights concerning refugees and asylum seekers، in accordance with the UNHCR’s legal protection framework and International Refugee Law، according to the statement.
