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# Life Sentence for Akitu Axe Attack in Nohadra
- URL: https://www.assyriapost.com/life-sentence-for-akitu-axe-attack-in-nohadra/
- Published: 2026-01-27T22:40:59.000Z
- Updated: 2026-01-28T10:00:48.000Z
- Description: In a rare ruling welcomed by Assyrian groups, a court in Northern Iraq has sentenced the perpetrator of the 2025 Akitu attack in Nohadra to life in prison, marking an unusual instance of accountability for violence targeting Assyrians.
- Author: David Barsom
- Tags: Assyria

**The Erbil Criminal** Court in Northern Iraq has issued a life imprisonment sentence against Luay Abdul Rahim Ramadan, a Syrian Kurd, after convicting him of carrying out an axe attack on the Assyrian New Year (Akitu) procession on 1 April 2025 in Nohadra (Duhok). The attack left two Assyrians, a woman and a young man, seriously injured. 

[Assyrians attacked during national Akitu parade in NohadraAssyrians found themselves under attack during the national new year parade in Nohadra (Dohuk), Northern Iraq.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-66.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-07-20-at-23.36.30-2.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/kurdish-man-attacks-assyrians-during-national-parade/)

The attack occurred in broad daylight during official Akitu festivities attended by families and youth, drawing widespread condemnation from Assyrian political parties, civil society groups, and human rights organizations at the time.

Assyrian groups welcomed the sentence, with the Assyrian Democratic Movement (ADM) describing the ruling as “justice served and a clear rejection of terrorism.” Community figures noted that the verdict sends an important signal amid growing concerns over incitement and hate speech targeting Assyrians in the Kurdish-run region.

[New attacks on Assyrian graves and church highlight pattern of impunity in Kurdish-led Northern IraqTwo new attacks on Assyrian sites in the KRG, vandalized graves in Armota and a church stoned in Deralok, have renewed concerns over rising hostility and years of impunity for crimes targeting Assyrians.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-67.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Turkey-1.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/new-attacks-on-assyrian-graves-and-church-highlight-pattern-of-impunity-in-kurdish-led-northern-iraq/)

The ruling remains a rare instance of accountability in the region, where many attacks against Assyrians have historically gone unpunished. Several high-profile cases, including the 1993 assassination of Assyrian politician Francis Shabo, remain unresolved, with perpetrators never brought to justice.

In addition, dozens of court rulings in favor of Assyrian landowners, particularly in cases involving the illegal seizure of Assyrian lands, have yet to be implemented, contributing to deep mistrust in the rule of law among Assyrians.

[Groups warn of new Kurdish land grab in Assyrian village of BakhetmeAssyrian political parties are sounding the alarm over Kurdish plans to grab land areas belonging to the Assyrian village of Bakhetme in Northern Iraq.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/icon/Icon-AP-1-65.png)The Assyria PostThe Assyria Post![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/f5/5df5a6c1-1f57-4975-951e-ddd33d31dec7/content/images/thumbnail/Bakhetme-Barzani-2.png)](https://www.assyriapost.com/groups-warn-of-new-kurdish-land-grab-in-assyrian-village-of-bakhetme/)