Jagarkhuin Abdulrahman Ismael, known as Jagar, was found guilty on March 29 of misusing a telecommunications device under a law in the Kurdish region that prohibits "...threats, slander or insult..." of others. This is according to the Danish European Mission's partner Middle East Concern.
It is believed that the prosecutor was encouraged to charge Jagar under this law, instead of the blasphemy law, to ensure a harsher punishment. His church had difficulty finding a lawyer for him due to increasing Islamization in the region.
Jagar is 38 years old and married. He became a Christian and was baptized in 2018. In October 2022, he was summoned to court over social media posts that were deemed insulting to Islam. He was given a verbal warning and released. In early November 2022, he was summoned again, where he was informed of the blasphemy charge and detained. He was later released on bail.
The case coincided with - and is related to - the case of Bishop Bahzad Mziri, the regional leader of a church, who was also accused of blasphemy during the same period. The two cases were published online, inciting hatred against Christians.
Jagar's lawyer has filed an appeal, which has not yet been heard.
Christians in Iraq ask for prayer for:
- that Jagar, his family and his church may know the peace of Jesus and the comfort of the Holy Spirit
- Immediate release of Jagar or a free and fair appeal process
- that the incitement of hatred against Christians in Kurdistan must end
- More tolerance and freedom for Christians
