The minister of Culture and Youth Xalid Duski said that the situation in Southern Kurdistan is improved after the closure of NRT TV and therefore KRG decided to extend the suspension of NRT TV’s broadcast for another week.

KRG’s decision was approved by a court in Sulaymaniyah.

NRT TV was closed on December 19, amid the popular protests against KRG. The move was condemned by the Committee to Protect Journalists

The raid and shutdown occurred after NRT broadcasted a livestream of and reported on ongoing regional protests against corruption, unpaid public sector salaries, and austerity policies. Since the demonstrations broke out on December 18, at least five people have been killed and dozens injured, according to news reports.