Iraqi Federal Integrity Commission opens probe into exam paper smuggling attempt

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Federal Integrity Commission said it has formed a working team to investigate an attempt to smuggle 61 exam papers out of the country. In a statement, the commission said the team will examine the circumstances in which the papers left official custody and review all aspects of the case, with those found negligent to be referred to the judiciary. The commission said safeguarding the integrity of exams and ensuring equal opportunity among students is a fundamental element of honesty in education. According to the statement, the papers were seized by security forces at Baghdad Airport from an employee of Iraq's Ministry of Education who was attempting to travel to Sweden. Parliament's Education Committee said seven of 51 recovered papers belonged to a high-school final-year student, Fatima Sabah Hussein, and contained answer keys. The committee described the incident as a serious violation of the integrity of the education system. The Ministry of Education said it held an urgent meeting and announced it had opened its own investigation. The case has drawn public attention, though no further details on those detained or the next stages of the inquiry were immediately available.