Hakim backs corruption campaign, urges national unity behind it

BAGHDAD — Ammar al-Hakim, leader of the Hikma Movement, welcomed the government’s anti-corruption operation on Monday and urged political parties, civil society and the media to get behind it “free from any political or factional considerations.”

In a statement, Hakim said the steps taken by the judicial and executive authorities were an important move toward strengthening the rule of law and protecting public money. “I welcome the measures taken by the judicial and executive authorities within the framework of reform and combating corruption,” he said, calling the campaign a step toward “enhancing citizens’ confidence in state institutions.”

Its success, Hakim said, would need broad national backing rather than partisan calculation, and he called on parties, social groups and media organizations to support the drive.

Hakim leads the Hikma Movement, also known as the National Wisdom Movement, one of Iraq’s main Shia parties.

His statement was the latest in a run of endorsements from senior figures. Earlier Monday, Shiite National Movement leader Muqtada al-Sadr backed the campaign as a “heroic reform campaign” and called on supporters to rally peacefully after Friday prayers.

The statements followed Sunday’s operation, in which authorities said 47 current and former lawmakers, political figures and officials were arrested. State media said the arrests were based on confessions by detained Deputy Oil Minister Adnan al-Jumaili, who was held earlier this month over alleged financial irregularities in the oil sector. The Supreme Judicial Council said last week that assets seized in the investigation had reached more than 98 billion Iraqi dinars and $11 million.