Hawlati and Awene Editors on Trial

The Sulaimanyah court is expected to decide on the case of (former Hawlati editor and Awene founder) Asos Hardi and (Hawlati editor-in-chief) Twana Osmanhas, who were sued by Omar Fatah, Kurdish regional government prime minister for Sulaimaniyah. They were brought to court on charges of publishing incorrect information. (Last year Hawlati newspaper had reported that two telephone employees were fired for cutting the prime minister's home telephone line because he hadn't paid his bills.) The newspaper has said the prime minister ordered them to be fired, but he denied the accusation. The minister of transportation and communication and the two (phone company) employees have testified along with other witnesses and the defendants. The court is expected to issue its verdict in the case on Tuesday.