Iraqi parliament removes National Investment Commission head over missing investment files

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's parliament voted during a July 9 session to remove Haydar Mekki from his post as head of the National Investment Commission, acting on his absence-based resignation. The legislature said in a statement that the file on the resignation process has been referred to the Anti-Corruption Commission. Parliament had earlier decided during the same session to interrogate the commission chief in absentia, before moving to relieve him of his duties and forward the case to the anti-corruption body. Lawmaker Adil Rikabi, who led the resignation proceedings, said the panel had raised 21 questions and formally notified Mekki three weeks earlier, but he did not appear for the questioning. Rikabi said the investigation covers documents related to investment opportunities granted to the commission head in a manner inconsistent with regulations. No further details on the allegations or the anti-corruption referral were immediately available.