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News by The Kurdistan Tribune:
Residents of Choman, in Balakayati, have staged demonstrations for the past four days, blocking the main trading road between Choman and Haji-omaran and demanding justice be served following the murder of Rebaz Rahim, 27, whose body was found in Gali-Alibag River on 31 January.
Soon after the murder of his son, Rahim Shoraye saw his son’s vehicle being driven by the murderer and informed the police. After being arrested, the culprit confessed that his motivation for the crime was to steal Rebaz Rahim’s car.
Today (Saturday 04/02/2012) demonstrators began pitching tents and lighting fires on the frosty road as more people joined them, demanding the prisoner to be handed over to them in order for him to be executed at the same place that he committed the crime. They no longer have trust in the justice system as there have been similar cases in the recent past and the murderers are roaming free.
As the protests continue, customs officials stated that the closure of Choman-Haji-omaran route has affected business and tourism between Kurdistan and Iran on an unprecedented scale. The victim’s father Rahim Shoraye told local newspaper Awene: “Our son has been murdered and we want justice, justice is more important to us than business”.
Haji-omaran is an important hub for business between Kurdistan and Iran. Most imports and exports are via this hub and it has a major impact on the Kurdistan economy.
