BAGHDAD, Oct 12 (NNN-NINA) – The Iraqi authorities said, nine high-ranking officials have been referred to the judiciary, for trial over charges of corruption, as part of the government’s reforms, after a wave of anti-government protests over unemployment, corruption and lack of public services.
The Iraqi Supreme Anti-Corruption Council, referred some important corruption cases of “nine high-ranking officials to the judiciary, after the completion of legal procedures supported by evidence,” the council said.
The high-ranking officials include former ministers and former provincial governors. It confirmed that more cases of corruption “will be referred successively to the judiciary.”
In his address to the Iraqi people, Prime Minister, Adel Abdul Mahdi said, he will issue a list of a number of senior officials to the courts, on charges of corruption.
Mahdi’s speech came, after the eruption of a wave of protests early in the month, in the capital Baghdad and other provinces in central and southern Iraq.
The demonstrations claimed the lives of over 100 people, including eight security members, and wounded 6,107 others, among whom were 1,241 security members.
Mahdi said, he had ordered transparent investigations, to hold accountable those who did not abide by the laws and rules of engagement at all ranks.
He declared three days of national mourning, starting Thursday for the victims of the protests.– NNN-NINA