Iraqi court sentences police major to 10 years for regulatory extortion

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Central Criminal Court sentenced a police major to 10 years in prison on Monday for extorting bribes from business owners in Baghdad’s Adhamiyah district, according to a statement from the Supreme Judicial Council.

The court handed down five separate two-year sentences after finding the officer guilty of demanding unlawful payments by threatening shopkeepers with bureaucratic repercussions if they did not comply. The officer coerced business owners into making monthly payments in exchange for keeping their businesses open.

“The convicted officer was threatening citizens, warning them that their shops and workplaces would be closed if they failed to pay the demanded sums,” the statement said.

This type of corruption, referred to as regulatory extortion, involves a public official abusing their authority to demand payments by using the threat of administrative or regulatory actions. In this case, the officer misused his position to pressure business owners under the guise of enforcing local regulations.

Iraq’s Penal Code No. 111 of 1969 criminalizes extortion under Article 452, which defines the offense as using threats or coercion to compel someone to hand over money, property, or other benefits. Penalties for extortion can range from several months to seven years in prison, with harsher sentences when the crime involves a public official abusing their position.

The Supreme Judicial Council reiterated its commitment to addressing corruption, particularly when it involves public officials, and emphasized the need to maintain public trust in governmental institutions.