ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – The families of two Iraqi men who were killed at a gas station in Erbil last week were received in the Kurdistan Region capital on Monday, praising the efforts of Kurdish authorities in bringing justice while calling for the perpetrator’s execution.

Two Iraqi men from Baghdad were killed by a gas station attendant in Erbil on Wednesday after an altercation broke out between them over the payment for spilled fuel. A bystander was also killed in the incident.

Erbil authorities quickly apprehended the suspected perpetrator.

Upon the invitation of Kurdish authorities, members of the victims’ families arrived in Erbil on Monday, received by Governor Omed Khoshnaw.

“We thank the Kurdistan Regional Government [KRG] for providing this opportunity and ensuring that the Iraqi people are one, and law and security is all under one law in all Iraqi provinces,” said the father of one of the victims during a press conference, thanking President Masoud Barzani for the invite, saying it highlights “their care for us and the matter.”

“We think the right punishment would be execution,” said the father, echoing the calls of the other two families. He also called for penalizing “negligent” parties, referring to other attendants at the station, the station’s owner, and those responsible for allowing a firearm at the station.

“A Kalashnikov is not to be at a gas station,” he noted.

Speaking alongside the families at the presser, Khoshnaw vowed that “justice will prevail.”

“We have told the families that they will witness all legal proceedings,” said the Erbil governor. “The law is above all, and the perpetrator is now before court.”