CoI initiates investigation into allegations of bribery offers to Iraqi MPs

Shafaq News / On Wednesday, the Federal Integrity Commission (CoI) announced the initiation of an inquiry and investigation into allegations of bribery offers made to members of the Iraqi parliament to vote for a specific candidate for the position of the Speaker of the Iraqi Council of Representatives.

CoI mentioned that the Office of Media and Government Communication confirmed the issuance of an official letter from the Investigations Department of the Commission addressed to the offices of the deputies: Majid Shingali, Ahmed Al-Jubouri, Raad Al-Dahlaki, Hussain Al-Sa'abri, and Ali Turki. The letter called for their attendance at the Investigative Department of the Commission to provide further information about the statements they made to some media outlets, which were monitored by the Commission's media office.

It is noteworthy that the Commission's media office has been monitoring statements made by some MPs after the session for the election of the Speaker of the Council of Representatives. Some MPs claimed to have received offers from certain Council employees, while others asserted that they became aware of these offers through WhatsApp messages. Some even mentioned verifying the alleged amounts offered for payment.

The Iraqi Council of Representatives held a session on the evening of January 13th to elect a new Speaker, replacing the former Mohammad al-Halbousi. In the first round of voting, the candidate from the "Takaddom" party, Shaa’lan Al-Karim, won with 152 votes. He was followed by Deputy Salem Al-Aissawi, the candidate of the Sovereignty Alliance, with 97 votes. The session was adjourned after a brawl between the MPs.