KRG to auction off 60 properties linked to jailed New Generation leader’s companies

SULAYMANIYAH — The Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Finance and Economy said Sunday it will auction 60 properties belonging to Nalia and Chavi companies, both owned by New Generation leader Shaswar Abdulwahid, who remains in detention while on trial in Sulaymaniyah.

The ministry said debts owed by Nalia Company have reached nearly 92 billion dinars (about $65.7 million). The assets, which include plots of land, hotels, cafeterias, tourist cabins and other properties, had previously been placed under seizure.

“Four parcels of land were initially set for public auction, but it was later discovered they had been allocated for green and service areas, making them ineligible for sale,” the ministry said. “Their values had also been incorrectly assessed and there were legal barriers to selling them. As a result, by order of the Minister of Finance and Economy, the process was halted and reviewed by a team of experts. All properties deemed suitable for sale were re-listed for auction.”

It added: “Following repeated notifications to Nalia Company to repay its debts and the failure of the concerned party to comply, our ministry exercises its legal right to sell all seized properties through public auction.”

The ministry said it is acting on a request from Sulaimaniyah One Bank, part of its commercial banking directorate, and noted that the Court of Enforcement in Sulaymaniyah had confirmed its authority to seize and auction properties to recover debts.

Officials from Nalia and Chavi did not respond to questions from 964media about which properties are included. Among those linked to Chavi is Chavi Land, one of Sulaymaniyah’s best-known attractions, featuring amusement rides and entertainment spaces.

The Finance Ministry said interested buyers may participate in the upcoming auction once the announcement is published in the state newspaper, adding that “all legal and administrative procedures will be applied.”

Abdulwahid, who also founded NRT television, was arrested Aug. 12 at his home in Sulaymaniyah’s German Village neighborhood under a court-issued warrant. A document dated Aug. 3 showed he had been sentenced in absentia to six months in prison under Article 431 of Iraq’s Penal Code, covering defamation.

His trial has been postponed twice, most recently on Aug. 28, when the Sulaymaniyah court delayed the session to Sept. 2 because the plaintiff, former New Generation lawmaker Shadia Nawzad, was absent. Abdulwahid has remained in detention, while his supporters continue to call for his release.