Iraq council says dismissal over fake diploma not covered by general amnesty

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Federal Public Service Council on Sunday announced an administrative court's ruling that a civil servant dismissed over a forged diploma cannot be reinstated through the country's general amnesty law. The Baghdad Administrative Court issued its decision on April 5, 2026, finding that a general amnesty does not automatically overturn an administrative dismissal. Under the ruling, administrative measures remain independent of criminal consequences, and the employee's return to service can only proceed through standard appointment procedures. The court ruled the plaintiff's claim lacked legal basis under Article 14 of the Federal General Budget Law No. 13 of 2023 and dismissed the case. The council said the decision reflects the principle of separating administrative and criminal outcomes and ensures the correct application of Article 62 of the amended Civil Service Law No. 24 of 1960. It reaffirmed its commitment to complying with judicial rulings and to carrying out appointment processes in line with transparency standards.