Baghdad court seeks lifting of MP immunity in alleged extortion case

BAGHDAD — The Baghdad Karkh Court of Appeal has asked Parliament to lift the immunity of MP Hasnain al-Khafaji, who recently withdrew from Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s Reconstruction and Development Alliance, over allegations of extortion connected to a residential investment project, according to a court document issued Sunday.

The document, issued by the investigating judge of the Central Anti-Corruption Criminal Court under the Karkh Court of Appeal, states that an investigation found grounds to pursue legal action against al-Khafaji and requested parliamentary approval to lift his immunity.

According to the document, the complaint was filed by the owner of the Huraa Baghdad residential project, who alleged that al-Khafaji demanded that 40% of the project be registered in his name, in addition to $500,000, in exchange for carrying out a public-sector function despite holding no official position authorizing him to do so.

The court document states that the complainant accused al-Khafaji of “requesting that 40% of the Huraa Baghdad residential project be registered in his name and demanding $500,000 in exchange for carrying out an act related to public office without having any official capacity authorizing him to do so.”

According to the document, the case had previously been suspended before being reopened after procedures related to registering the project with the Federal Integrity Commission were completed.

The court said the complaint was supported by witness statements and audio recordings submitted during the investigation.

Based on the findings, the investigating judge requested that Parliament authorize legal proceedings against al-Khafaji and consider lifting his immunity in accordance with constitutional and legal provisions governing members of Parliament.

The request was sent to the office of the speaker of Parliament for further action.

The move marks the second request by judicial authorities within a week to seek the lifting of a lawmaker’s immunity. On May 31, the Supreme Judicial Council, through the Karkh Court of Appeal, asked Parliament to lift the immunity of MP Mohammed Nasser al-Karbouli of the Azm Alliance in connection with a $50,000 bribery case under investigation.

The latest request comes as Iraqi judicial authorities continue pursuing corruption-related cases involving current and former public officials. Parliament had not publicly announced a decision on either immunity request as of Sunday.