Iraqi PM Discusses Anti-Corruption Measures with Judiciary

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (AP)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (AP)
TT
20

Iraqi PM Discusses Anti-Corruption Measures with Judiciary

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (AP)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (AP)

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced on Sunday that his government is working on ensuring the independence of the Iraqi judiciary.

Sudani’s statement followed two separate meetings he held with the President of the Supreme Judicial Council Judge Faiq Zaidan and President of the Federal Supreme Court Judge Jassim Mohammed Abboud.

During his meeting with Abboud, Sudani stressed the importance of the rule of law that should prevail in all circumstances and that the government demonstrates in all its actions that Iraq is a country governed by the constitution and the law.

Abboud, for his part, the importance of consolidating the supremacy of the authority of the law above all institutions and for the judiciary to be the citadel that guarantees to provide the grounds for achieving the will of the Iraqi people, stressing the government's support for the implementation of its governmental program.

In his meeting with Zaidan, Sudani discussed ways of fighting corruption in Iraq.

The Iraqi judiciary had issued a decision to release the main suspect, in what was known as “the theft of the century,” Nour Zuhair Jassim, in exchange for recovering the money he admitted to stealing.

Jassim had embezzled about one trillion Iraqi dinars (about $800 million).

Moreover, the Iraqi Judicial Authority released Haitham al-Jubouri on bail, one of the primary perpetrators behind a corruption scheme that led to the theft of at least $2.5 billion from the bank accounts of the country's General Commission of Taxes last year.

Jubouri was the head of the Parliamentary Committee on Finance and adviser to Iraq's former Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi. He stands accused of embezzlement of millions of dollars in public funds.

At a time when the judiciary determined the legal justifications according to the Iraqi laws in force, which allow bail in such cases regardless of the amount of stolen money, there was widespread criticism of both the government and the judiciary for releasing the perpetrators.



Israel Vows to Prevent an Aid Boat Carrying Greta Thunberg, Activists from Reaching Gaza

Climate activist Greta Thunberg stands near a Palestinian flag after boarding the Madleen boat and before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)
Climate activist Greta Thunberg stands near a Palestinian flag after boarding the Madleen boat and before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)
TT
20

Israel Vows to Prevent an Aid Boat Carrying Greta Thunberg, Activists from Reaching Gaza

Climate activist Greta Thunberg stands near a Palestinian flag after boarding the Madleen boat and before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)
Climate activist Greta Thunberg stands near a Palestinian flag after boarding the Madleen boat and before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)

Israel’s defense minister has vowed to prevent an aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg and other activists from reaching the Gaza Strip.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said Sunday that Israel wouldn't allow anyone to break its naval blockade of the Palestinian territory, which he said was aimed at preventing Hamas from importing arms.

Thunberg, a climate campaigner is among 12 activists aboard the Madleen, which is operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. The vessel departed Sicily last Sunday on a mission that aims to break the sea blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid, while raising awareness over the growing humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave, The AP news reported.

The activists had said they planned to reach Gaza’s territorial waters as early as Sunday.

Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament who is of Palestinian descent, is among the others onboard. She has been barred from entering Israel because of her opposition to Israeli policies toward the Palestinians.

After a three-month total blockade aimed at pressuring Hamas, Israel started allowing some basic aid into Gaza last month, but humanitarian workers have warned of famine unless the blockade and the war end.

An attempt last month by Freedom Flotilla to reach Gaza by sea failed after another of the group’s vessels was attacked by two drones while sailing in international waters off Malta. The group blamed Israel for the attack, which damaged the front section of the ship.