Peregraf
A grave accusation of attempted sexual assault has surfaced against Jutyar Adel, the head of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Media and Information Office, igniting significant public discourse. Reinaz Tofik, a consultant for the office, has alleged that Adel attempted to sexually assault her three years prior. She claims that after rebuffing his alleged advances and seeking assistance from security personnel, Adel purportedly offered to protect his ideas in exchange for her silence. Tofik also indicated that several individuals within the office had participated in similar inappropriate behavior, although she noted that Adel was "better and more respectful" than others.
In response to the allegations, Jutyar Adel has categorically denied the claims, which gained traction on social media in the Kurdistan Region, labeling them as "baseless and far from the truth." He has expressed his intention to pursue legal action against Tofik, asserting that the judicial system should ascertain the veracity of these allegations.
Tofik has expressed her readiness for the legal confrontation, stating, "I am prepared. What is the court if I have God behind me?" She underscored the importance of women voicing their experiences regarding such abuses, contending that silence perpetuates further injustices. "I possess evidence of all the individuals who approached me, and I rejected them because I was there to serve, not to engage in romantic relationships. It is crucial for us women to speak out so that we are not perceived as prostitutes by society when we have not encountered any love in our lives," she asserted.
The controversy surrounding the allegations of sexual assault is compounded by revelations regarding Tofik's contract with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), which has incited considerable public outrage amidst ongoing salary crises in the region. An internal correspondence from Jutyar Adel to Shaban Chali, the director of the Prime Minister’s office, dated July 3, 2024, disclosed that Tofik's salary exceeded six million five hundred thousand dinars. This compensation package comprised a salary of four million two hundred thousand dinars, one million three hundred thirty-two thousand dinars allocated for housing, and an additional one million dinars designated for transportation. Such a salary is notably substantial when juxtaposed with the average earnings of public employees in the Kurdistan Region.
The revelation of these figures has exacerbated criticism from citizens and public sector employees grappling with financial hardships. In response to the backlash, Tofik utilized social media to defend his contract and to present further allegations. Over a span of 15 hours, he published more than 20 posts, announcing his resignation and intention to leave the country. He asserted that he was, in fact, receiving only 25% of his official salary and accused the KRG Media and Information Office of various misconducts, including the appropriation of his ideas. One of his proposals involved renaming the Kurdistan Region to "Curdia," a suggestion that has been met with derision by the public, particularly as they endure significant financial challenges largely attributed to widespread corruption.
This situation has ignited extensive debate on social media, with public opinion split regarding the allegations and the overarching issues of corruption, abuse of power, and gender-based violence within the governmental institutions of the Kurdistan Region. As legal proceedings progress, the public remains eager for further updates in this contentious case, although there is a prevailing skepticism regarding the judicial system, as many believe it is under the influence of the authorities and ruling families.
Profile of Reinaz Tofik
Reinaz Tofik is a Kurdish professional with a diverse background in business, law, and international relations, as indicated by her LinkedIn profile. Born on November 24, 1998, she is a citizen of the Netherlands and has collaborated with officials from Kurdistan and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) over the past decade. Tofik asserts that she possesses a degree in Business and Management and has gained significant experience working on a contractual basis with prominent real estate developers in the United Arab Emirates, particularly Emaar. Her professional expertise encompasses management, human resources, public relations, and accounting. She also claims to have conducted extensive studies in National Dutch and International Law, focusing on governance in The Hague and Amsterdam.
Tofik further states that her career path has been strategically designed to cultivate a comprehensive knowledge base intended to support the future development of Kurdistan within both national and international political contexts. She has served as an advisor to Mr. Jutyar Adel, the head of the KRG Media Department in Erbil. As a member of the KDP and a former resident of the Netherlands, she claims to have been recruited with the promise of a substantial salary of 6.5 million Iraqi dinars (approximately $4,500–$5,000). However, she alleges that she only received 25% of the promised amount, suggesting possible misappropriation of the remaining funds by the KRG.