43 Arrested, 85 Refineries Shut Down for Environmental Violations, Says KRG Media Department
KRG has shut down 85 illegal refineries and arrested 43 individuals in Erbil for environmental violations, Governor Omed Khoshnaw announced. Cleanup and enforcement efforts continue under strict KRG regulations to ensure compliance and environmental protection.
By Kamaran Aziz
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) — The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has intensified its legal and environmental enforcement against unlicensed, unauthorized and non-compliant refineries across Erbil province, according to a statement released Wednesday by the KRG's Department of Media and Information.
Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw announced: "Due to refinery violations, 43 people have been arrested by court order and 85 unlicensed refineries have been shut down in Erbil province."
Speaking to the Department of Media and Information, Khoshnaw elaborated on developments in Qushtapa district, stating, "Six refineries have been dismantled, one has been shut down, and 15 refineries have been reopened by the Erbil Environment Committee and the Erbil Governorate after their initial closure, as they are now operating according to Erbil's environmental guidelines."
He confirmed that two refinery owners have been taken to court and one owner has been arrested as part of the ongoing crackdown. "These measures are continuing," Khoshnaw stated.
The Department of Media and Information emphasized that these actions are in line with a Kurdistan Regional Government decision mandating the closure of any refinery not in compliance with environmental regulations and the arrest of its owners.
Strict environmental cleanup measures and legal proceedings remain ongoing as part of the broader initiative to regulate refinery operations and protect the environment in the Kurdistan Region.
