ERBIL — Kurdistan Region’s Council of Ministers on Friday said the region’s judiciary is independent of the government, and that the executive body would not interfere in its proceedings.

The statement comes a day after Erbil’s Court of Cassation upheld the six-year prison sentence for five people on charges of espionage and threatening national security.

“A recent ruling by the Court of Cassation in Erbil convicting five men referred the alleged role of certain diplomatic missions in the context of the case,” reads the statement from KRG’s Council of Ministers.

“The Kurdistan Regional Government reiterates that the judiciary in the Kurdistan Region is independent of the government. There is no way that the government can or would interfere in its proceedings. At the same time, we strongly value our robust partnerships with our allies in the diplomatic and international community, especially in the fight against ISIS [Islamic State],” it added.

The statement reaffirmed KRG’s commitment to freedom of expression, independent media, the rule of law, and the war against terrorism.

“The safety and protection of our citizens and of diplomatic and international missions in the Kurdistan Region is our top priority,” the statement concluded.

BasNews