Independent MP Yasser Al-Husseini praises Integrity Commission chief for ‘defending institution’

BAGHDAD — Independent MP Yasser Al-Husseini commended the courage of Integrity Commission head Haidar Hanoun on Wednesday for his request to appear before Parliament to “defend his institution.”

Al-Husseini described Hanoun’s statements at a press conference yesterday as “frightening,” noting that those who stand to benefit from the ongoing tension between the Integrity Commission and the judiciary are the corrupt. He emphasized that Parliament lacks the authority to summon or question the judiciary, underscoring the limits of legislative power in such matters.

Al-Husseini also dismissed claims of an organized campaign against Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, although he criticized what he called the “incompetence” of most of the cabinet, with a few exceptions among the ministers.

Excerpts from Yasser Al-Husseini’s interview with Al Sharqiya TV:

The Integrity Commission holds significant files, and its challenges are even greater. The political pressure on it is immense, and there is additional pressure from entities that do not want the commission to complete its steps toward resolving these files. Ultimately, the ones who benefit from the confusion between the Integrity Commission and the judiciary are the corrupt.

The matters mentioned in Mr. Hanoun’s conference are frightening; we do not know what the coming days may reveal. If all the files within the Integrity Commission are opened, the undisclosed files are even larger and involve various entities. If Hanoun begins to mention the parties, the pressures, the influencers, the collaborators, the communications, and so on, it will cause a disruption for us.

My acquaintance with Mr. Hanoun goes back a long way, and I know he possesses courage and integrity.

Based on my personal relationship with him, I know the man is honest, strong, and has previously taken stands against political figures involved in corruption cases when he was an appellate judge in Maysan. I am not here to defend any individual but to analyze the event.

If we do not move toward correcting the course, many issues will be exposed, political tension will reveal many files, and many masks involved in corruption, contracts, violations of laws, and public money waste will be removed.

Hanoun requested to go to the legislative and executive authorities because he wants to defend his institution, which is different from personal defense.

There is no authority over the judiciary except the law. We cannot host or interrogate the judiciary; we have no authority over it.

It would be more realistic for the Speaker of Parliament, along with the head of the Integrity Committee, to go to the Higher Judicial Council to resolve these matters.

Based on the information I have, I cannot say there is an organized campaign against Al-Sudani. On the contrary, for months I have been opening files, even with Mr. Al-Sudani himself, and I told him that I voted for the government and want the tools to defend it. If you leave me defenseless, I cannot resist and defend, and by that, I mean if I do not have real data to fight corruption.

There are files during this government’s period involving parties both within and outside the government. The Prime Minister, his advisers, his office, and the ministries have a hand in these files—sometimes directly, sometimes by turning a blind eye, such as the file of the State Railways Company. The more serious files are related to contracts that mortgage the wealth of economic institutions to others.

The railway contract is not as Haidar Hanoun mentioned, at $18 billion, but rather $22.5 billion and is subject to increase. According to the existing data and contract terms, it may reach nearly $40 billion, which are realistic figures based on the contract clauses.

There are ministers who, if they enter Parliament, would leave as mere citizens. Only 4 or 5 ministers have performed well, and I have evidence to support this.