Kurdish Authorities Arrest Assyrian Deacon in North Iraq

GMT 2-22-2008
Assyrian International News Agency

North Iraq -- According to the Assyrian website The Mesopotamian, at 6:30pm, on Sunday 17 February 2008 in the town of Telkepe (Nineveh Province), Deacon John Khoshaba was arrested from his home by members of the Kurdish Democratic Party militia, who are loyal to Kurdish President Masoud Barzani. Mr. Khoshaba was held for 4 days and released today.

Even though Telkepe does not form part of the Kurdish region, Deacon John was transferred to Sekrene, a high security prison facility near Sarsink in Kurdish controlled northern Iraq. He was charged with criticizing through his website the Kurdish authorities and their Finance Minister, Sarkis Aghajan. He was also warned against writing about the corruption and sex scandals of his Bishop Ishaq Khamis and his loyalty to the Kurdish authorities.

www.themesopotamian.org