“The wiretapping scandal” complicates the political scene.. The second term is far from Al-Sudani

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[size=52]“The wiretapping scandal” complicates the political scene.. The second term is far from Al-Sudani[/size]

[size=45]The pace of events and questions about what will happen regarding the government of Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani is escalating, especially after the judiciary proved the case of wiretapping in the latter’s office and the involvement of major figures in this case, most notably al-Sudani’s brother.
The British website “Amwaj” doubted the ability of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, whose political future is increasingly being speculated about, to try again to win a second term as prime minister.
At the end of last August, the Iraqi authorities uncovered a wiretapping and blackmail network operating inside the government palace, whose activities targeted senior political leaders, members of parliament, senior officials, judges and businessmen. Seven suspects were arrested, most notably the assistant director of administration in al-Sudani’s office, Mohammed Juhi.
According to the British report, “speculation about Sudan’s political future reached its peak after a commemorative photo was taken with three prominent governors, who are estimated to be potential allies of al-Sudani when he seeks a second term in 2025.”
The report indicated that “some analysts believe that these maneuvers have deepened existing divisions within the ruling “Coordination Framework”, which raises questions about whether Al-Sudani’s supporters may be the ones who sabotage his attempt to remain in office.”
The report pointed out that “the photo that brought Al-Sudani together with the governors of Basra, Karbala and Wasit, raised confused speculation about maneuvers by the prime minister to ensure he wins a second term, noting reports that the photo reflects an alliance between politicians whose local popularity has recently increased, while there are reports that Al-Sudani is seeking to prepare an electoral list in preparation for the parliamentary elections expected next year.”
According to the report, “Al-Sudani’s clear rush to obtain support has exacerbated tensions within the Coordination Framework, which includes a group of Shiite forces supported by Iran.”
The report quoted journalist Suad Al-Salihi as saying that “Al-Sudani’s clear campaign to gain support ‘irritates’ his former Shiite partners who ‘seek to maintain their influence and protect their interests.’”
In addition to the three governors close to Al-Sudani, “the prime minister has succeeded in recent months in attracting several prominent figures from the State of Law bloc led by Nouri al-Maliki to his potential electoral list, including current Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani and prominent MP Alia Nassif.”
The report indicated that “estimates speak of the possibility that Al-Sudani will be able to obtain more than 60 seats in the upcoming elections.”
The report continued that “Al-Sudani’s political career and biography have earned him guidance, as his popularity has been further enhanced in light of the remarkable success of his government’s initiatives in the areas of investment and development.” The report
pointed out that “Al-Sudani’s current image before the public is that of an efficient manager,” indicating that “although Al-Sudani included the idea of ​​holding early elections in his government’s program,”
observers indicate that “it is likely that he will complete his full term of 4 years in order to consolidate his political gains.”
On September 7, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani expressed his dissatisfaction with the “distortion” of his government’s work in combating financial and administrative corruption by unnamed parties, hinting at a new ministerial change.
The report considered that “if al-Sudani completes his constitutional term, Iraqi voters will likely head to the polls in parliamentary elections in the fall of 2025.”
However, the report noted that “it is also possible that Shiite political forces opposed to a second term for al-Sudani may impose early elections, which could be held in the first half of next year.”
The report concluded by noting that “some of al-Sudani’s employees face accusations of involvement in wiretapping of the offices of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Council, Faiq Zidan, and if the prime minister is found to be involved, the political repercussions that would result could harm his campaign to win a second term.”
MP Mustafa Sand had confirmed earlier on Thursday that the Iraqi judiciary had proven the “wiretapping network” case with conclusive evidence, revealing the involvement of senior figures in the network.
It is noteworthy that on August 19, the Iraqi authorities arrested a wiretapping and forgery network affiliated with Al-Sudani’s office, including employees and officers.
Arrest warrants were issued for senior officials in the office of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani for their involvement in managing a wiretapping network that was uncovered inside the government palace in Baghdad, most notably Al-Sudani’s military secretary, Lieutenant General Abdul Karim Al-Sudani, Al-Sudani’s office manager, Ihsan Al-Awadi, and Ahmed Ibrahim Al-Sudani, the office manager of the head of the intelligence service headed by Al-Sudani.
MP Mustafa Sand said in a tweet at the time that “the Karkh Investigation Court (in Baghdad), which specializes in terrorism cases, arrested a network from the government palace of the Prime Minister’s office, headed by his confidant Mohammed Juhi and a number of officers and employees.”
According to a circulated government document, Muhammad Juhi was transferred in 2020 from the Ministry of Health to the Presidency of the Republic, during the time of Barham Salih, and after Al-Sudani assumed his position, he was transferred to the Prime Minister’s Office, to work as Deputy Director General of Personnel Affairs in the office.
According to press reports and political statements, Muhammad Juhi is related to Raed Juhi, the former director of the Prime Minister’s Office, Mustafa Al-Kadhimi.
Sand indicated in his blog post that “the network was engaged in several unclean activities, including eavesdropping on the phones of a number of representatives and politicians, in addition to “directing electronic armies, creating fake news, and impersonating politicians, businessmen, and channel owners.”
He explained that “the network confessed to its actions and their statements were recorded initially and judicially,” indicating that “among the many confessions was impersonating the number of Saad Al-Bazzaz, the owner of Al-Sharqiya satellite channel, and sending a fabricated image to the channel containing a picture of four representatives for false news, and sending the image to the phone numbers of all representatives privately.”
He pointed out that "there are several pressures being exerted to release them, but the competent judge did not submit to these requests, and in turn, the affected MPs filed complaints."
The Juhi case is a precedent that has not been witnessed by successive governments, while local voices are rising demanding accuracy and integrity in selecting employees for sensitive positions.[/size]
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