Haider Hanoun replaced
Iraq appoints new Integrity Commission head with former head moved into ‘advisor’ role at justice ministry
BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani has appointed Mohammed Ali Al-Lami as the new head of the Integrity Commission on Wednesday, replacing Haider Hanoun, who is currently facing legal troubles, including an arrest warrant.
A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed Al-Lami’s appointment. Hanoun, who has been reassigned as a special advisor to the Ministry of Justice, will have his new position submitted to parliament for approval.
Prime Minister Al-Sudani expressed gratitude for Hanoun’s work, stating, “We appreciate Haider Hanoun’s role in combating corruption during his time leading the commission.” He reaffirmed the government’s dedication to fighting corruption, calling it one of their “primary goals.”
However, Hanoun’s departure comes amid ongoing legal issues. On Oct. 7, the Karkh Third Investigation Court in Baghdad issued an arrest warrant after Hanoun failed to appear in court regarding allegations of extortion. Despite multiple summonses, Hanoun did not respond.
The legal troubles trace back to a ‘leaked’ audio recording that surfaced in September, allegedly implicating Hanoun in discussions about accepting bribes, including a land plot in Maysan Governorate and a luxury car. The Integrity Commission rejected the recordings as “fabricated,” accusing “electronic armies” of attempting to discredit Hanoun.
In a Sept. 4 press conference in Erbil, Hanoun defended himself, saying, “I have only two pieces of land that I legally acquired.” He also accused a judge of fraudulently acquiring state land by posing as a security officer and alleged that the judge was covering up cases involving businessman Noor Zuhair.
The Supreme Judicial Council dismissed Hanoun’s claims as “false accusations meant to mislead public opinion,” suggesting that his remarks were a response to the legal actions taken against him, particularly concerning land allocation controversies.
The Iraqi Integrity Commission is a body tasked with combating corruption, promoting transparency, and ensuring accountability in the public sector. It investigates corruption cases, scrutinizes public officials, and oversees government contracts in an effort to uphold ethical governance and restore public trust.