Iraq integrity commission chief urges nationwide expansion of anti-corruption efforts

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The head of Iraq's Federal Integrity Commission, Mohammed Ali al-Lami, has called for anti-corruption institutions to strengthen their deterrent role across all of Iraq. In a statement, the commission said al-Lami met in Erbil with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani to discuss ways to improve cooperation and coordination between oversight bodies of the federal government and the regional administration. The talks covered the protection of public resources, the strengthening of state institutions and the entrenchment of transparency principles. Al-Lami pointed to the support that oversight bodies receive from the judiciary, legislature and executive, and stressed the constitutional framework guiding investigation and prosecution procedures. He also called for stronger inter-institutional cooperation in implementing arrest warrants and court rulings, and for preventing individuals wanted on corruption charges from using administrative boundaries to evade justice. Barzani reiterated preparations for harmonizing joint oversight policies and sharing financial data. Both sides signaled readiness to work together, within the constitution and existing laws, to recover proceeds of corruption and return them to the public treasury. No further details on specific mechanisms or timelines were immediately provided.