Corruption in Iraq .. ignore the reports of wealthy officers

[size=35]These reports diagnose the situation of the wealth of investigators in the Ministry of the Interior and the intelligence services in an illogical way, and monitor the possession of police and military intelligence officials responsible for the investigations of those accused of terrorism and drug cases and activities classified as organized crime, luxury homes and the management of extensive business.

[size=35]This happens with the escalation of the controversy in Iraq after a decision by the Lebanese Arbitration Commission to impose fines on the Iraqi Ministry of Defense, worth more than $ 15 million for a Lebanese company in the case of a contract breach between the two sides.[/size]

[size=35]In a document published by local media, the Ministry of Defense confirmed that the case was referred to the Integrity Commission with a number of officers involved in the case, one of whom was found to be cooperating with the opponent after referring him to retirement.[/size]

[size=35]For his part, an official in Baghdad revealed that the head of the caretaker government received about two months before his resignation, several reports, one of which was from representatives of the Sadrist movement. Investigating officers, neither commensurate with their salaries nor their social status that they previously held office. It is similar to what happens with customs officers and inspectors of border crossings between governorates or land with neighboring countries.[/size]

[size=35]And he stresses that the greatest fear is that corruption will affect the security side by releasing criminals or terrorists in exchange for sums of money. He notes that, for unknown accounts, Abdel-Mahdi has not taken any action to address the issue. The dissolution of the offices of inspectors general in the Ministries of Defense and the Interior by Parliament has exacerbated the issue.[/size]

[size=35]He added, "There is a clear disregard for the activities of crime networks, drug smuggling and trade in contraband, such as alcoholic beverages in the cities of southern, central and western Iraq, believed to be the result of financial corruption or the presence of incompetent officers who arrived at their positions due to the wasta."[/size]

[size=35]In turn, the former Chairman of the Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee, Hakim al-Zamili, acknowledges that "officers and leaders of the official security services have become rich in Iraq, because of their immersion in corruption files, including those related to drug smuggling and the guarantee of obtaining job grades for Iraqis through bribes in the millions, in addition to the release of Terrorists in exchange for money. "[/size]

[size=35]It is considered that "the purification of the security services in Iraq is reflected in the work of the rest of the ministries and the joints of life and social life, and addressing the corrupt people in the security and military corps needs courage and decision, especially since many corrupt officers are linked to the parties and influential political entities in the country."[/size]

[size=35]Al-Zamili notes that "the security file is thorny and accumulated and contains corruption and sagging positions, and there is money manipulation and large embezzlement of contracts for supply, armament, intelligence and follow-up", pointing out that "one of the duties and tasks of the new prime minister is to review and evaluate security leaders and officials through their pursuit, because reform In Iraq, it starts with reforming the security system. "[/size]

[size=35] In the opinion of Al-Zamili, “Mustafa Al-Kazemi is able to make the desired reforms, because he is the son of the security establishment, but in the beginning he needs to strike the heads of corruption and choose competent ministers.”[/size]

[size=35]Note that in April of last year, Interior Minister Yasser Al-Yasiri sacked three senior officers responsible for Baghdad's security from their posts, and transferred them to lower locations after a mass flight of 15 detainees from the Drug Control Center, which includes a prison in which people accused of drug trafficking were detained, which prompted Officials are required to admit that security-related collusion with criminals and smugglers in exchange for suspicious funds and assets.[/size]

[size=35]In the meantime, MP Abdel Amir Taiban reveals that "financial corruption exists in most of the state agencies and government institutions, which is unacceptable, of course, but that this corruption expands until it becomes apparent in the security services, so the matter then requires tireless government action."[/size]

[size=35] He explains that "the continuing failure to hold the spoilers in the security and military services means that the citizen will not give confidence to the officer in the street and in official institutions, which will lead to social and security problems that the officer will be unable to solve, because the state's prestige goes with the prestige of the military component."[/size]

[size=35]As for MP Ali Al-Badiri, he considers that there was an intention by Abdul-Mahdi to open the files of corruption and he was serious about that, but the parties did not give him the opportunity, and then the demonstrations began and he was not able to help him.[/size]

[size=35]He points out that "Al-Kazemi faces a big mission, and it is his duty to open all these files, and he will not face any partisan or parliamentary opposition if he is determined to fight corruption seriously and without anyone's exception."[/size]

[size=35]And on the impact of the popular demonstrations that intensified during the past months, and decreased during the past weeks due to the spread of the "Corona" virus and before that due to the assassination of Qasim Soleimani and Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, Parliament passed the "Illegal Profit" law, known as "Where did you get this from?", After about 3 years of push and pull between political blocs due to some of its paragraphs, which address the powers of the Integrity Commission and the competent courts to track the assets of the suspect's money and his relatives, and address banks to uncover financial receivables, in addition to the law enforcement clause retroactively since 2003 until now.[/size]

[size=35]According to the provisions of the law, it is supposed to apply to all citizens as well as other laws, but in reality, it was created or approved specifically for the political class ruling the impact of the demonstrations as an additional measure to alleviate the curse of the street.[/size]

[size=35]The law also includes about 20 items, the most prominent of which is the follow-up of state employees ’funds from the rank of general manager and above, and considers that any funds he possesses are not commensurate with his official salary,“ suspicion ”, and they are automatically investigated, but many observers in Iraq doubt its applicability.[/size]

[size=35]For his part, analyst Ahmed Al-Hamdani considers that corruption exists in all of Iraq’s institutions, but the area of ​​investigation and security departments linked to criminals and security threats may be more dangerous and sensitive.[/size]

[size=35]He adds that the file exists and has grown in the second government of Nuri al-Maliki (2010-2014), and investigative officers have come from the wealthy classes in society, and no one is asking or being held accountable.[/size]

[size=35]Perhaps the issue is related to the security collapse and the spread of organized crime in Iraq as well, stressing that the new government needs a comprehensive study of this issue in particular, as it is one of the most dangerous files of corruption in Iraq.[/size]