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Arrest warrants issued for 27 former Iraqi
govt officials
11.10.2005
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Baghdad, 11 Oct. (AKI) - Arrest warrants have
been issued for 27 senior officials from Iyad
Allawi's US-backed interim government, suspected of
embezzling more than one billion dollars of
government money.
The former ministers of defence, labour, transport,
electricity and housing in the government which took
power in June 2004, are among those whose arrests
have been ordered.
"It is nearly 100 percent of the ministry's
procurement budget that has gone [missing]," Finance
Minister Ali Allawi was quoted as saying last month,
by Britain's Independent newspaper. |
Arrest warrants have been issued for five ministers
from Iyad Allawi's government
Photo: Reuters |
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The money is said to have been taken from the
defence ministry and used for corrupt military
procurement deals. It was reportedly diverted abroad
in cash and then used to buy overpriced,
sub-standard equipment as part of a money laundering
operation which hampered the Iraqi security forces
in their fight against insurgents in the country.
Former defence minister, Hazem Shaalan, has denied
the allegations. Like many of the suspects he is
believed to be abroad. Ali al-Lami of Iraq's
Integrity Commission said they are working with
Interpol to secure their arrests.
www.adnki.com
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