Two press freedom groups demand apology from Bafel Talabani over journalist insult in Sulaymaniyah

ERBIL, Iraq — Two independent press freedom organizations called on Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) President Bafel Talabani to issue a formal apology after he verbally insulted a journalist during a visit to the Mar Youssef Church in Sulaymaniyah, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The incident occurred when a reporter asked Talabani about the formation of the Kurdistan Regional Government, prompting him to respond with a dismissive remark. The Erbil-based Metro Center for the Defense of Journalists' Rights described Talabani's conduct toward journalists as "shameful" and said the silence of his advisers and entourage in response to the incident was an additional source of disgrace. The center said it had expected an apology from within the PUK but that none had been issued, adding that "those who remained silent continued to remain silent." The Baghdad-based Nakheel Center for Press Freedoms and Rights also condemned Talabani's insulting language toward a reporter, stating that the conduct represented a serious deterioration in the relationship between political officials and journalists. The center called on both Talabani and the PUK to apologize to the reporter and to the Iraqi journalism community.