SULAIMANI, Iraq’s Kurdistan region,— PUK party’s Kurdish Asayish (security) forces have given the Kurdistan Free Society Movement (Tavgari Azadi) 24-hours to shut down its headquarters in Sulaimani city in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region.

Member of the Tavgari Azadi, Nariman Ahmed, told NRT that Asayish forces had entered the organization’s headquarters in Sulaimani and told party members to vacate the premises.

“We won’t leave unless they force us to leave because we have permission from the Iraqi Ministry of Interior,” Ahmed said.

“The Asayish’s actions are illegal and it is part of an agreement between the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan [PUK] and the Turkish government, which has requested the PUK put an end to the activities of Tavgari Azadi.”

Tavgari Azadi co-chairwoman Shilan Shakir said on Monday that they had been notified by the Sulaimani Asayish that they would have to shut down their headquarters in the city.

Shilan Shakir said earlier that the party has asked for permission from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to remain open, but authorities have not yet responded to the request.

“We will continue our work and activities,” Shakir said.

He added that the party has sought certification from the KRG and the Interior Minister on several occasions, but have never received a response.

Tavgari Azadi is close to the political system of the Turkey’s Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Iraqi Kurdistan Region.

Last month, Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani announced that the headquarters of all unregistered parties must close.

Tavgar Azadi countered that it received certification from the Iraqi government in advance of last May’s parliamentary election, but chose not to take part in the Kurdistan parliamentary election in September.

In 2017, Tavgari Azadi said Barzani’s security KDP forces, which is close to Turkey’s government, have detained members of the movement.

Tavgari Azadi said in June 2017 the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) was arresting the group’s members over fabricated offenses. The movement accused the KDP of forcing Tavgari Azadi members to pledge allegiance to the party.

Copyright ©, respective author or news agency, nrttv.com | Ekurd.net

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