An Iraqi observatory called for amending the laws to ensure that the salaries and privileges of officials are stopped immediately upon their arrest on corruption charges, noting that the current laws allow the continued disbursement of entitlements until a judicial ruling is issued.
The “Echo Iraq” observatory explained that MPs and officials retain their salaries and financial allowances unless a final judicial decision or official procedure is issued to revoke membership or terminate the position, even in cases of arrest or investigation.
He pointed out that this reality raises questions about the fairness of public money management, calling for reform of financial and administrative legislation to ensure that salaries are frozen during the period of detention in corruption and financial crimes cases.
The observatory stressed that addressing this issue represents a fundamental step to enhance citizens’ trust in the state and to consolidate the principle of justice in the management of public resources.
This statement came after a joint force from the Counter-Terrorism Service, the army, the Integrity Commission and other security forces carried out a large-scale operation at dawn on Sunday in Baghdad and several governorates, which resulted in the arrest of a number of people accused of corruption.
For his part, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi affirmed that the campaign represents a "first phase" in combating corruption, stressing the continuation of efforts to recover public funds, and emphasizing that there will be no leniency in protecting the interests of citizens.
The Iraqi News Agency had announced the arrest of 47 defendants, including deputies and officials, in corruption cases, and published the names of 15 of them, citing sources it described as high-ranking.
