Shaswar Abdulwahid’s Detention Extended Beyond Sentence
SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region — The detention of Kurdish opposition leader and media owner Shaswar Abdulwahid has been extended beyond the completion of his prison sentence, with authorities prolonging his custody from Dec. 29, 2025, to Jan. 12, 2026, according to NRT TV. It remains unclear whether he will be released at the end of the extension.
Abdulwahid, leader of the New Generation Movement (NGM) and owner of the Sulaimani-based NRT television network, was arrested in mid-August 2025 by security forces in Sulaimani, roughly three months before Kurdistan’s parliamentary elections, following a court ruling issued earlier that month.
NGM spokesperson Himdad Shahin said Monday that Abdulwahid’s health has deteriorated during detention and that he has been transferred to a hospital for medical treatment.
Sentence Completed, Detention Prolonged
Court records show that on Aug. 3, a judicial panel sentenced Abdulwahid in absentia to six months in prison under Article 431 of the Iraqi Penal Code, which covers threats against individuals, property, or reputation. Following legal review, the sentence was reduced to five months.
Abdulwahid completed the full sentence on Dec. 29, 2025, but was not released. Instead, authorities extended his detention until Jan. 12, 2026. No official explanation has been provided regarding the legal basis for the extension or whether it will result in his release.
Political Context and Reactions
Abdulwahid’s imprisonment has drawn significant public attention, with opposition figures and political observers describing the case as politically motivated. After several hearings, the court upheld the five-month sentence, which Abdulwahid served in full.
Known as New generation movement, Abdulwahid has been a prominent critic of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), frequently accusing the ruling parties of corruption and monopolizing power.
Property Auctions and Financial Disputes
In October, authorities in the Kurdistan Region auctioned nearly 60 properties linked to Abdulwahid at the Chavy Land entertainment complex in Sulaimani. Officials said the sale generated more than 91 billion Iraqi dinars, approximately $69.5 million.
The auction revived longstanding disputes with shareholders, some of whom have accused Abdulwahid of failing to distribute profits. Investors claim that returns on an estimated $22 million investment since 2011 were minimal, with some reporting payouts as low as 80,000 dinars (about $67) over a ten-year period.
Legal Uncertainty
The extension of Abdulwahid’s detention beyond his completed sentence has intensified concerns among opposition groups and rights advocates about due process, judicial transparency, and political freedoms in the Kurdistan Region.
As of now, no official statement has clarified the legal justification for the extended detention or confirmed whether Abdulwahid will be released on Jan. 12, 2026.