Kurdish farmer fined 2 million dinars in two Kirkuk court cases

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A Kirkuk court has fined a Kurdish farmer 2 million Iraqi dinars in total across two separate cases linked to a confrontation last year in Shinaga village, the farmer said. Muhammed Amin said the first case was brought by soldier Kerar Shaker, who accused him of grabbing the soldier's collar and attempting to choke him. The court imposed a 1 million dinar fine on the farmer in that case. A second case filed by the Kirkuk Operations Command resulted in an identical fine. Amin said his counter-lawsuit against the military force involved in the incident has not yet been concluded. The clashes broke out last year after security forces tried to prevent farmers from cultivating land in and around Shinaga village following a court decision to return the lands to Kurdish residents. Units of the Eighth Army Brigade were detained over their role in the incident. No further details were immediately available on the timeline of the rulings or the status of the farmer's counter-complaint.