Kurdistan
Undated photo of the theme park Chavy Land in Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region. Photo: Chavy Land/Facebook
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has officially requested the closure of Sulaimani’s Chavy Land, one of the largest theme parks in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, due to alleged tax evasions by owner Shaswar Abdulwahid, jailed leader of the opposition party New Generation Movement (NGM).
“After several warnings to this company owner [Abdulwahid], whose name and address appeared in the Tax Administration document number (1294/1/22205) dated 15-07-2025, under the name of (Chavy/Tourism Investment Company) regarding tax payment, until now the legally mandated tax has not been paid,” read a document issued by Kamal Taib Qadir, head of taxes department at the finance ministry, which addressed the Sulaimani mayor’s office.
“Proceed with closing [Chavy Tourism Company] within your authority,” it added.
The Sulaimani Court said it had not received the request as a formal complaint.
Abdulwahid, leader of Kurdistan Region’s largest opposition party, is facing several other charges. He was arrested last week by Sulaimani security forces and appeared in court on Thursday.
Qadir had issued the document before Abdulwahid’s arrest and according to Iraqi law, one case must be concluded before the court can process another.
“Shaswar Abdulwahid has many complaints against him, but it is not necessary that all complaints be processed in court now, so we do not know if any other complaint will be processed after the current one or not, because according to law, the current case must be concluded first before discussing another case,” a source from Sulaimani’s court told Rudaw.
A judicial decree dated August 3 revealed that Abdulwahid had been sentenced in absentia to six months in prison under Article 431 of the Iraqi Penal Code, which pertains to making serious threats against others, their property, or their reputation. The charge carries a potential sentence of detention or a fine, classifying it as a lesser offense.
NGM has criticized the arrest of its leader, labeling it an “abduction” carried out without prior notice. The party alleged that security forces affiliated with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) were behind the arrest, and directly accused PUK leader Bafel Talabani and deputy prime minister and leading PUK figure Qubad Talabani of standing behind it.
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