SLEMANI — A hearing for Lahur Sheikh Jangi, Polad Sheikh Jangi and 10 other defendants in the Lalazar Hotel case was held Thursday at the Slemani Criminal Court 2, with the proceedings adjourned until next week.
During the session, all 12 defendants denied the charges against them under Article 56, which concerns incitement to murder. Following the hearing, the defendants were transferred back to Slemani Prison.
Earlier reports had suggested that the court could issue a final decision in the case during Thursday’s session. However, no ruling was issued, and the proceedings were postponed.
Lahur Sheikh Jangi’s legal defense team said the case dossier consists of approximately 800 pages and that they were fully prepared for the trial.
Lahur was first brought before the Slemani Criminal Court on January 12, 2026, in connection with the Lalazar Hotel incident. The proceedings have been postponed several times, including a session previously scheduled for May 7.
Ahead of Thursday’s hearing, Awat Sheikh Jangi, Lahur’s sister, appealed to the judges in a video message, saying that Lahur, Polad and their Peshmerga colleagues had been unjustly detained for a year.
“I appeal to the conscience of the honorable judges in Slemani to uphold the oath they have taken,” she said, calling on the court to issue a fair ruling in what she described as a matter of “immense responsibility.”
The case stems from an August 22, 2025 operation by security forces in Slemani against the People’s Front (Barei Gal) headquarters at the Lalazar Hotel and Lahur Sheikh Jangi’s private residence.
Authorities had demanded Lahur’s surrender based on an active arrest warrant, triggering armed clashes during the operation. Lahur and several of his associates were subsequently arrested.
The confrontation left 12 people dead, including three members of the Asayish and Commando forces.
