Doski Azad Born: 1999
Shot dead: 29/30 January 2022
Location: Duhok (Kurdistan Region of Iraq)
Origin: Iraq
Children: none
Perpetrator: her brother Chakdar
Our story on Iraqi Kurdish 23-year-old transgender woman Doski Azad is based on Insider's investigative work and goes like this: Doski Azad ran into problems with her family after she came out of the closet as a transgender woman years ago. Some conservative family members did not accept this and threatened to kill her on several occasions.
Doski Azad fled her parental home and built a new existence in Duhok in the Kurdish region of Iraq. She worked as a make-up artist in a local salon and had many friends. Even years after her move, her brother and cousin continued to threaten her with death.
On Monday, January 31, 2022, Doski Azad's lifeless body was found in a shallow ditch near Duhok. Her hands were tied and, according to local police, she had been hit by bullets in her head and chest one or two days before she was found.
The only suspect for this brutal liquidation is her brother, who has lived in Germany for the last eight years. Chakdar is believed to have flown to Iraq for the sole purpose of killing his sister and fled Iraq quickly after the murder.
Agents suspect he is hiding in Germany, Belgium or Turkey. Kurdish authorities have reportedly contacted Interpol to track down and arrest this murder suspect. We would welcome any leads.