Iraq: Two senior officials were detained on corruption accusations

The Anti-Corruption Committee detained two senior Iraqi officials, on Sunday, Leader of al-Hal (Solution) Party Jamal al-Karbouli and his brother Mohammed, as part of the anti-corruption action led by Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi.

Indeed, the party has 12 lawmakers in Iraq’s parliament. He is a businessman and possesses major media institutions, including the al-Dijla television channel that was closed last year.

Asharq Al-Awsat reported, basing on some information, that Iraq’s judiciary issued detention authorizations against four deputies and gave order to lift their immunity. Besides, the parliament is set to vote on lifting the immunity later this month.

Another list

Asharq Al-Awsat also informed that there was another list that comprises the names of senior politicians suspected of corruption. Thus, the representatives have been proscribed from travelling.

Jamal Al-Karbouli didn’t receive an executive post until 2003 when he reaches the presidency of the Iraqi Red Crescent at the time. Nevertheless, his brother has the industry portfolio in former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s second government (2010-2014).

Moreover, Al-Karbouli created al-Hal party in 2008 and participated in the past three parliamentary elections when his party obtained 13 seats in one round and eight in another, and he also hot more than one ministry for his party.

About week ago, Al-Karbouli was in the Iraqi Forces Alliance, directed by Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, whereas his brother Mohammed was an important leader in Halbousi’s Takadum Party. Yet, the two removed from the alliance and joined prominent Sunni businessman Khamis al-Khanjar’s al-Azm alliance.

Intervention of many senior personalities

Furthermore, an Iraqi politician informed Asharq Al-Awsat that several senior personalities seek to interfere to avoid Karbouli’s detention. He also attributed the mediations executed by senior politicians, like Shiite leaders, to anxieties that they might be next one, expecting that the next detained personalities would be from the Shiite group to avoid blaming the committee of only detaining Sunni personalities.