ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Head of the New Generation Movement Shaswar Abdulwahid was arrested by security forces on Tuesday night at his residence in Sulaimani’s German Village apartment complex.

A judicial decree dated August 3 seen by The New Region states that Abdulwahid was to be arrested under article 431 of the Iraqi Penal Code and faces a sentence of six months in prison.

Article 431 of the Iraqi Penal Code states: "Whoever threatens another with committing a felony against himself or his property, or against the person or property of another, or with attributing or disclosing dishonorable matters in cases other than those specified in Article 430, shall be punished by detention"

The New Generation Movement in a statement fingered Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK)-affiliated forces for the arrest, saying, "Tonight at 10 o'clock, a force belonging to the PUK stormed Head of the New Generation Movement Mr. Shaswar Abdulwahid's residence and abducted him without prior notice."

"The abduction of Mr. Shaswar comes after he announced a few days ago that if the salary issue is not resolved this week" and the government does not implement the agreement, "then next week there will be an important stance by the New Generation movement," the statement continued.

"Therefore, as the New Generation bloc in the Kurdistan Parliament, we condemn the behavior of the PUK leadership and announce to all parties that protecting the life of the New Generation Movement leader is the responsibility of Bafel Talabani and Qubad Talabani," the party said. "We call on consuls and international representatives to take a stance and not remain silent regarding this illegal and mafia-like behavior by the PUK leadership."

Sarkawt Ahmed, head of Sulaimani police's media department, in the early hours of Wednesday morning denied that PUK forces were involved in the arrest.

"No, it was Sulaimani police that arrested him," Ahmed said at a press conference in response to a question on the matter.

Eyewitnesses told The New Region that a convoy of four vehicles arrived at the German Village apartment complex, with Abdulwahid subsequently being arrested and taken away.

Sulaimani police told The New Region that one of the charges relates to matters relating to shareholders in the Chavi Land theme park in Sulaimani, which is a business interest of Abdulwahid, with another charge relating to a previous complaint filed by a Kurdistan Region MP against him.

Abdulwahid was a businessman in Sulaimani before entering politics and was involved in the construction of numerous large-scale projects, including Chavi Land, which gave rise to numerous lawsuits taken against him over allegations of malpractice in business dealings.

Media affiliated with the New Generation Movement said that the arrest was based on the organization of demonstrations, which, if carried out without the issuing of official licensing, would constitute a crime under the Kurdistan Region's law.

The New Region understands that no other member of Abdulwahid's party has been arrested in connection with his detention.

Updated at 23:29 with New Generation Movement statement

Updated at 00:09 with judicial decree

Updated at 00:29 with Sulaimani police press conference information