Federal Commission of Integrity chief: no immunity for corrupt officials

BAGHDAD —  Federal Commission of Integrity Chairman Mohammed al-Lami said Sunday that no individual involved in corruption would be exempt from accountability, stressing that recovering misappropriated public funds remains one of the commission’s top priorities.

During a visit to the commission’s investigation office in Salah Al-Din governorate, al-Lami met with staff and instructed investigators to continue pursuing corruption cases in accordance with the law and “not be lenient with perpetrators of corruption crimes regardless of their positions,” according to a statement from the commission.

Al-Lami said the commission’s role extends beyond investigating and prosecuting corruption cases to recovering public funds and holding those responsible for misuse of state resources accountable.

“The commission is moving forward in pursuing corrupt individuals and recovering public funds,” al-Lami said, adding that “there is no immunity for anyone who violates public money.”

He said the commission draws strength from public trust and support from the executive, legislative and judicial authorities. Al-Lami urged investigators to overcome routine procedures and bureaucratic obstacles that could delay case resolution, saying the law exists “to protect society and achieve justice, not to be a reason for delaying it.”

He also highlighted the impact of corruption on public services, saying corrupt practices had deprived “patients of healthcare services, students of a suitable educational environment, and the poor of opportunities for a decent life.”

“Stealing public money is not merely a financial crime, but an assault on citizens’ rights and the interests and stability of the state,” he said.

Earlier this month, the Commission officially joined the Network of Corruption Prevention Authorities, an international body that promotes coordination and information sharing among anti-corruption agencies. The move follows Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s pledge to make anti-corruption efforts a priority of his government.

Iraq ranked 136th out of 180 countries in Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, scoring 28 out of 100, its highest score since the index began tracking the country in 2003. The ranking marks an improvement from 140th place the previous year. Despite the progress, Iraq remains among the more corrupt countries in the index.