The Kurdish MPs, with their counterparts from Basra in attendance, gave a statement at Parliament, which was read by Arafat Karam, the head of KDP faction.
“Those arrested shall be a lesson” said Arez Abdullah, a PUK MP, on Saturday in Baghdad, explaining that it should be an example so no one else will repeat such an incident. “We are condemning the incident together with our friends from Basra.”
Erbil’s Governor Nawzad Hadi has described the beating that occurred in the center of the city on Wednesday as “unwanted and unacceptable.”
“We will do our best to preserve the integrity of Iraq, including all its components,” read a statement by Karam.
Tourists from all parts of Iraq visit the Kurdistan Region for its different climate, mountains, attractions, and diversity. Its peak tourism season is the spring and summer months.
“Kurdistan has been best example of coexistence in history … Kurdistan has embraced all religious and ethnic elements without discrimination,” the statement added.
The tourists did not file a lawsuit and have left Erbil, Governor Hadi said on Thursday. He assured visitors that authorities will not allow such behavior to become precedent in Erbil and the Kurdistan Region.
On Thursday, the Head of Erbil Police Hogir Aziz also confirmed that no one had filed a complaint with his department.
At least 12 people have been arrested after video was widely shared of the incident.
