Cihad Hesen, representative of the Autonomous Administration of North-East Syria in Hewler, was arrested together with PYD members Mistefa Osman Xelil and Mistefa Eziz Mistê by KDP forces on 10 June. On 29 July, Xelil and Mistê were released. However, 82 days after his arrest, Hesen remains in the hands of the South Kurdistan authorities.

The Foreign Relations Office of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria has issued a statement concerning the abduction of Cihad Hesen by South Kurdistan’s ruling party KDP (Kurdistan Democratic Party).

Spokesman of the Foreign Relations Office, Kemal Akif, pointed out that the condition of Hesen, who remains in prison in South Kurdistan, is not good.

“The KDP continues to keep our representative in prison without any legal justification. No legal procedure has been initiated yet as the family members and lawyers are not allowed to meet him. Hesen’s arrest is against diplomatic, political, human rights and patriotic values. It is also against all diplomatic conventions. All relevant parties should be informed about the reason for the arrest. The KDP and South Kurdistan government are responsible for the life of Hesen. The Autonomous Administration wants good relations with the South Kurdistan government. We urge the KDP to release Hesen immediately,” the statement said.

Akif called on all legal organizations to intervene in the situation and to enable Hesen's family and lawyers to meet him.

“The reason and place of the arrest should be revealed. On the other hand, pressure should be put on the South Kurdistan government to release our representative.”