Parliamentary committee will investigate Defence Minister al-Dulaimi Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki admitted his government had “turned a blind eye to corruption cases, for fear of a whirlwind" on Wednesday, admitting that the former stance "strengthens corruption and terrorism” inside the country. Speaking at the Integrity Corporation’s "Scientific Conference IV" event, Prime Minister Maliki claimed: “This corporation's efforts to fight financial and administrative corruption have been solid and strong. But they are not shown by the Iraqi media.”
"There are many corruption cases that are worth confronting,” Maliki added. “But we overlook them because we are afraid of false propaganda. This fear provides a cover to corruption while protecting terrorists.”
The Prime Minister accused what he called "outsiders" of using corruption as a “political mechanism,” aiming to disable the Iraqi state, while criticising the national media for allegedly amplifying stories about corruption and not focusing on issues that deserve coverage. He said the recent controversy surrounding a potential Russian arms deal with politicians inside Iraq was one such example.
A parliamentary committee report investigating the supposed deal meanwhile recommended to refer the case to the Integrity Corporation, sources told Arabstoday.
The scandal has created a political storm inside Iraq after accusations were made against figures close to Prime Minister Maliki, including family members, who were said to be involved. News of the deal has embroiled Defence Minister Saadoun al-Dulaimi, former spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh, presidential advisor Abdul Aziz al-Badri, Iraqi businessman Majid al-Qaisi, Lebanese businessmen George Nader and Ali Fayad, as well as the director of a Russian oil company, Lior Shi.
Meanwhile State of Law Coalition members have blamed opposition elements for focusing on the Russian arms deal to cover up a concurrent scandal at Iraq’s Central Bank, leading to the dismissal of Governor Sinan al-Shabibi and the arrest of staff on corruption charges.