ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Independent Human Rights Commission in the Kurdistan Region (IHRCKR) said on Sunday that it is gathering information a deadly shootout earlier in the week on Erbil-Gwer road.
The commission said in a statement that the violence, which took place in Lajan village, occurred after a number of people gathered and blocked the road. A young man was killed and several others, including security forces, were injured.
"It is necessary that the shooters and the accused be found quickly and brought to trial,” the commission said in its statement.
The rights group held discussions with the Erbil governor's office and the Erbil internal security forces (Asayish) directorate regarding the incident.
"It became clear to us that the investigation is ongoing and evidence has been gathered to find those persons who opened fire,” added the commission.
Bahaddin Ahmad Barzanji, the father of the man killed in the violence, spoke in a press conference in Kirkuk and said that his son, Irfan Barzanji, was a truck driver that transported tea and bread between Kirkuk and Erbil. He said that at the time of the chaos and shooting he was on his way on the road, and tried to escape before a bullet hit his head.
He also said his son had been married for two years, and it had been two months since he became a father.
Irfan's father requested from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) that his son's blood not be in vain and that the shooters be brought to trial.
The commission said in the statement that they visited the scene of the incident and spoke with civilians.
According to the commission, the security forces have emphasised that "whoever opened fire will be held accountable according to law."
The rights body, in their statement, noted that "it condemns any kind of violence that becomes a cause for the use of weapons " and announces it supports the demands of citizens and civil gathering, but "by legal means and away from violence.”
"We assure you that we will continue monitoring this case and the results of the investigations," the commission said.
The KRG’s interior ministry released a statement late Saturday regarding the incident.
The ministry accused some external groups and local groups of trying to “instigate strife” without naming them.
“The latest sabotage effort began by targeting the Khor Mor gas field, the purpose of which was to stop electricity production in the Region. After that, the Kurdistan Regional Government used liquid fuel as a substitute for gas to provide electricity. Through internal and external incitement, a group of troublemakers blocked the road of tankers transporting fuel and citizens at the Gwer border and shot at the people and travelers of that road,” said the ministry.
“As a result of the shooting by those persons, a citizen fell victim and lost his life, and a number of other persons were wounded,” the statement read, adding that "according to the applicable laws in the Kurdistan Region, action is taken with the troublemakers, and no one is above the law."