Barzani orders illegal checkpoints be dismantled, asks people report unlawful acts

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani on Sunday ordered the removal of all unauthorized checkpoints in the Region which have been illegally taxing people, stating those responsible would be held accountable.

The order issued early in the week reaffirmed that “no one is allowed to set up checkpoints and tax citizens illegally.”

It mentioned that only the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), its ministries, and its directorates are allowed to collect dues within the legal framework, which are later processed with the appropriate paperwork by the Ministry of Finance and Economy.

The order asserted that anyone violating the law would be sent to court and punished, as well as obligated to return any money they wrongfully took from people.

“It is necessary for citizens and those who may be affected to reject paying any sum to wrongdoers and report the incidents to relevant agencies with some form of evidence,” the order read.

It noted that the order was now in effect, since the issuance of the statement, and will be implemented by the Interior Ministry, Asayish (security) forces in cooperation with relevant ministries, public prosecutors, and the Integrity Commission.

The declaration came a month after lawmakers in the Kurdistan Region’s Parliament asked the government and Parliament to dismantle all illegal checkpoints in Erbil, Duhok, and Sulaimani which have been running an unlawful taxation scheme on truck drivers in certain areas.

Editing by Nadia Riva