Sixteen Years Pass Over the Assassination of Journalist Sardasht Osman

Reports 03:07 PM - 2026-05-04

Journalist Sardasht Osman.

Today, 4 May 2026, marks the sixteenth anniversary of the assassination of journalist Sardasht Osman. The Sardasht Osman Organisation for Freedom Advocacy has announced that a commemorative ceremony will be held at 4:00 pm at the gravesite of the late journalist.

Sixteen years after his assassination, those responsible for the crime have yet to be held accountable, while his family continues to await justice.

Sardasht Osman, a journalist and student at Salahaddin University, was abducted in Erbil in broad daylight, in front of police officers and hundreds of university students. Two days later, his body was discovered in Mosul. Sixteen years later, the perpetrators have yet to be apprehended and the court has turned a blind eye to them.

Case Remains Unresolved

As the case of Sardasht Osman’s assassination remains unresolved, his brother, Bashdar Osman, has stated that those responsible for planning and carrying out the assassination wield influence beyond that of judicial and security authorities in Erbil, preventing the case from proceeding through legal channels, while the identities of those responsible and the motives behind the assassination are known.

Speaking previously to PUKMEDIA on the anniversary of his brother’s death, Bashdar Osman said that while the case may be considered closed by official authorities, it remains open for the family, journalists, and advocates of freedom. He stated that those responsible have yet to be brought to trial, noting that judicial and security institutions were used in the commission of this crime.

He further stated that substantial evidence existed which could have led to the identification and arrest of the perpetrators, but said the case was deliberately suppressed by senior officials within the government.

Calls for Accountability

According to Bashdar Osman, the individuals behind the assassination continue to exert influence over the case, ensuring it remains unresolved. He also noted that Sardasht Osman had reportedly alerted security authorities in Erbil of potential threats three months prior to his abduction, but no preventive action was taken.

"What is worse is that my brother's body was taken to Mosul through dozens of security checkpoints, which is clear evidence that the authority that planned and committed the crime is much greater than the security and judicial authorities in Erbil," Bashdar Osman said.

Sardasht Osman was abducted on the morning of 4 May 2010, outside the College of Arts at Salahaddin University, as he was on his way to work. Witnesses reported that he was taken by an organised group in full public view. His body was found two days later in Mosul, having been transported through multiple security checkpoints, raising further questions among his family regarding the circumstances surrounding the crime. 

The body had signs of severe torture and a bullet in his mouth, which his relatives see as a sign of silencing him.

Press Freedom Context

The anniversary of Sardasht Osman’s assassination follows the global observance of World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, held this year under the theme "Shaping a Future at Peace", which underscores the vital role of independent journalism in fostering stable and democratic societies.



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