Iraq PM prepares anti-corruption talks with Coordination Framework leaders

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani is preparing to meet leaders of the Shiite Coordination Framework to discuss lifting political protection for individuals accused of corruption, according to sources familiar with the framework's components. The meeting is expected to outline a roadmap for referring suspects in public fund misuse and inflated-asset cases to the judiciary and for recovering stolen funds. It was postponed following al-Sudani's visit to Tehran. Twelve political and party figures are expected to come under investigation over corruption allegations, with divisions inside the framework over whether to include influential figures in the scope. Talks are also expected to cover issuing Interpol red notices for suspects abroad and pursuing asset tracing. Al-Sudani has stressed that the anti-corruption drive should move beyond political rhetoric and be implemented across all levels of government. In the "Operation Fajr" launched in late June, officials, lawmakers and businesspeople were detained, and the government is preparing a second phase targeting the Health, Oil and Electricity ministries.