February 4, 2018, Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court
ruled that
extraditions were unconstitutional. It cited
Article
21 of the constitution which states that Iraqis could not be extradited by
foreign authorities. This ends efforts by Baghdad to get corrupt officials
deported from other countries back to Iraq for their corrupt practices.
Recently,
former Trade Minister Abdul Falah al-Sudani was extradited by Lebanon. He was
found guilty in absentia after he fled Iraq. It also
tried
to do the same thing to ex-Defense Minister Ziad al-Qattan. Now that effort is
over. High ranking Iraqi officials often escape graft charges by leaving Iraq. It
appeared that route might finally be closed, but not anymore thanks to the
Federal Court. This might hinder Prime Minister Haidar Abadi’s anti-corruption
campaign,
but that appears to be only focused upon cleaning up the Kurdistan Regional
Government (KRG). With elections coming in May that might be all the premier hoping
it will help him in the polls since the KRG is widely unpopular in the rest of
the country.
SOURCES
Abu Zeed, Adnan,
“Iraq takes custody of officials wanted in corruption probes,” Al Monitor,
1/31/18
Baghdad Post,
“Federal Court says extradition of citizens violating constitution,” 2/4/18
Karim, Ammar, “Iraq
faces ‘new war’ – on corruption,” Agence France Presse, 12/29/17
NRT, “Federal Court:
Iraqi extradition may not be handed over to foreign authorities,” 2/4/18
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