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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Shaswar Abdulwahid Qadir, the leader of the New Generation list, responded to claims that he did not fulfill a contract with prominent Iraqi comedian Ahmed Bashir during a panel about discourse during the Iraqi elections at the National Press Club on Tuesday.
He established the New Generation Movement, a political party in the Kurdistan Region, and was elected president by the party's first congress on Friday.
Qadir has campaigned on improving government transparency, the legal system, and institutions.
"What we ask for the future, if we have an institutional country, I'm sure nobody will ask me this question because at that time we will have a real judiciary system ... if they are clean they will be free, if they are not clean they will be in jail," said Qadir.
A Rudaw correspondent in Washington, Rebaz Ali, asked Abdulwahid about accusations made by popular Iraqi radio host Ahmed Bashir that Abdulwahid had not fulfilled contractual obligations with the political satirist who has a popular radio program
Qadir refused to directly address the question of his dealings with Bashir, instead taking the opportunity to lambaste Ali and Rudaw Media Network.
"If there's something against me, I wish the government ... I wish they put me into the jail if they have anything against me," said Qadir.
The 38-year-old businessman launched the Sulaimani-based Nalia Media Corporation (NRT) in 2010. Qadir announced he resigned from NRT, and then founded Kurdnews in March.
He established the New Generation Movement, a political party in the Kurdistan Region, and was elected president by the party's first congress on Friday.
Qadir has campaigned on improving government transparency, the legal system, and institutions.
"What we ask for the future, if we have an institutional country, I'm sure nobody will ask me this question because at that time we will have a real judiciary system ... if they are clean they will be free, if they are not clean they will be in jail," said Qadir.
Amid anti-government protests last December, operations at NRT's offices in Sulaimani were suspended at the request of the public prosecutor and security forces in the province, arguing that the suspension has helped bring “complete calm” to the province.
Qadir was also detained, but released shortly after posting bond in Sulaimani. The KRG then permitted NRT's offices to be reopened.
Qadir added: "you are media from the government." Rudaw Media Network was founded in 2008 and is supported by Rudaw Company. It aims to impart news and information about Kurdistan and the Middle East in a professional manner.
The newly-founded New Generation holds no seats in Iraq or Kurdistan's parliaments.
Iraq will hold parliamentary elections on May 12. The New Generation has candidates on its own list in Sulaimani, Erbil, and Duhok provinces.
Kurdish parties are competing for 44 seats in the Kurdistan Region — 18 in Sulaimani, 15 in Erbil, and 11 in Duhok. Those figures do not include one seat in Erbil and one in Duhok dedicated to the minority quota system.
The New Generation has party candidates running on other lists in disputed areas like in Saladin province.
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