PM:08:47:02/11/2025
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A force from the Interior Ministry arrived at NRT headquarters and stopped the broadcast of NRT’s "Taw u Twe” program, following a decision issued by the authorities.
According to NRT sources, the episode was set to feature an exclusive interview with Shaswar Abdulwahid Qadir, the leader of the New Generation Movement, who is currently in prison. The live program was scheduled to air at 7 p.m. tonight.
Earlier in the day, officials from the Ministry of Culture reportedly pressured the channel to cancel the program, warning that if the interview were broadcast, NRT’s operations would be suspended.
Despite these warnings, NRT management had prepared to proceed, considering the interview a matter of public interest and journalistic duty. However, minutes before the program began, a security force entered the station and ordered its immediate suspension.
Observers believe the move reflects growing government concern over Abdulwahid’s influence ahead of the Iraqi parliamentary elections scheduled for November 11, 2025.
Abdulwahid, who was arrested earlier this year, remains a key political figure in the Kurdistan Region. His supporters claim his detention is politically motivated, arguing that the authorities fear his message could increase his popularity and strengthen his vote share if he were allowed to speak publicly.