IHEC to replace MPs implicated in anti-corruption campaign

Shafaq News-Baghdad

Iraq'sIndependent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) will begin procedures to replacelawmakers convicted or facing judicial rulings under the government'sDawn Crackdown anti-corruption campaign, MP Saqr Al-Muhammadawi told ShafaqNews on Thursday.

Al-Muhammadawi,a member of the Sadiqoun parliamentary bloc, stated that according to availableinformation, some MPs whose parliamentary immunity was lifted are not accusedof corruption. "One of them merely sent a recommendation to a deputy minister by phone, which is different from someone who embezzled billions ofIraqi dinars and stole public funds."

Al-Muhammadawialso argued that the case involving MP Hussein Moanes, head of the Huqooqparliamentary bloc, was politically motivated.

His remarkscame after Coordination Framework leader Amer Al-Fayez said on Monday that anarrest warrant had been issued for Moanes after his parliamentary immunity waslifted. Al-Fayez claimed the lawmaker had left Iraq and was reluctant toreturn, adding that the charges against him were unrelated to the caseinvolving Deputy Oil Minister Adnan Al-Jumaili and that he technically remainsa member of parliament despite the judicial proceedings.

Theinvestigation involving Al-Jumaili has been ongoing for more than a month andhas led to the arrest of several lawmakers and officials across Baghdad,including in the Green Zone, as part of the anti-corruption campaign.

The officialstate news agency (INA) identified the detainees, including Muthannaal-Samarrai, head of the al-Azm Alliance and a member of parliament, as well assitting lawmakers Ziyad al-Janabi, Bahaa al-Nouri, Mohammed al-Karbouli, AliyaNasif, Mohammed Jamil al-Mayahi, Hassan al-Khafaji, Abdul Rahman al-Luwaizi,Mudhar al-Karaawi, Hind al-Abbasi, Mohammed Furman al-Jubouri, and Bushraal-Qaisi.

Read more: Iraq's Dawn Crackdown by numbers: 67 arrests explained ...