Zikar Council Anti-Corruption Chair Demands Speaker Appear Before Body

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The head of Zikar Provincial Council's anti-corruption committee has called on the council speaker to attend an investigative session and respond to allegations of financial and administrative misconduct. Abdulbaki Omeri, who chairs the council's corruption oversight committee, said a legal petition submitted on April 15 failed to produce a session because the speaker was not present. Under council bylaws, Tuesdays at 11:00 AM are designated as fixed session time, Omeri told a press conference. He said recent leaves and assignments have conflicted with that time slot, raising questions among those who filed the petition. Omeri added that the committee is tracking files on financial and administrative deficiencies, and that all officials are accountable. The petition is based on questions and notes signed by one-third of council members. A source said en-Nashi had previously been presented with interrogation requests over alleged financial and administrative violations. Omeri called on en-Nashi to appear at the next session and present his defense before the council and the public.