Iraqi PM imposes travel ban on corrupt lawmakers
In Iraq, allegations of corruption in weapons deals prompted the office of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi Tuesday to impose a travel ban on several parliamentary officials accused of involvement in the matter.
In addition to the parliamentary officials, a number of politicians have also been barred from leaving the country.
On Monday, Abadi ordered an investigation into the allegations.
The travel ban is temporary and those covered by it should wait until the investigation is completed.
Abadi ordered a "temporary travel ban" against those accused, in order "to investigate the validity of the allegations," a statement from the prime ministerial office said.
Iraq's Defense Minister Khalid al-Obeidi claimed after a questioning in the parliament on Monday that speaker Salim al-Juburi and several lawmakers had sought to blackmail him. Obeidi said Juburi and five lawmakers and merchants had tried to persuade him to secure specific contracts and to reinstate employees fired due to corruption.
Reports said the parliament session broke down after Obeidi raised the accusations. Juburi and others denied any rift emerged during the meeting.
It was not clear whether the ban also applied to Obeidi. He went to the parliament to answer corruption allegations brought up by lawmaker Alia Nasayif. Reports said Nasayif, Mohammed al-Karbouli and Hanan al-Fatlawi were among those accused of corruption.
The Iraqi military, led by Obeidi, has won considerable public support over the past months for its achievements on the ground against the Daesh Takfiri terrorists. The allegations come as Iraqi forces and allies prepare a massive operation to purge Daesh from Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city and the last remaining bastion for the group north of the country.
Abadi has faced growing public demands for economic reforms in Iraq. Protesters stormed earlier this year the government and parliament buildings at a heavily fortified zone in Baghdad, calling for an accelerated fight against corruption.
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