Iraqi authorities order a financial examination of officials

 Haider Hanoun, the head of the Federal Commission of Integrity (COI), confirmed the investigation into the inflation and ill-gotten gains of funds made by Iraqi officials, noting that this action helps bring the accused to justice in addition to returning the value of the inflation of their funds to the state treasury.

According to a COI statement, "His assistants, directors, and the heads of the investigation in Baghdad, Najaf, Karbala, and Babylon urged the department's staff to step up their efforts to investigate the information received by the department in accordance with the laws in force and to expedite the completion of cases in a way that achieves sufficient deterrence for anyone during his visit to the COI's headquarters and his meeting with the head of the investigation department in the COI. These initiatives may help to rebuild public trust in the government and its institutions, particularly the regulatory ones."

Furthermore, it stated that "Citizens are the focus of the Commission team's efforts during its operations in the service departments." The necessity to "strike with an iron fist at anyone who attempts to take advantage through extortion, bargaining and asking for bribes to finish or expedite their transactions" was also emphasized.

A further point made by the Commission was the significance of "following up on checking the integrity and accuracy of the data provided by individuals responsible with reviewing interests and comparing that data in the financial disclosure form with the reality of that covered." 

There was a need for "examining and locating signs of inflation and unauthorized financial gain among individuals covered by completing the financial disclosure form. This serves two purposes: first, to identify inflation and prosecute the accused so they receive their appropriate punishment; second, to return the value of inflation and illicit gain to the state treasury."