Badr bloc says corruption is ‘no less important than confronting terrorism’

BAGHDAD — The Badr Organization’s parliamentary bloc voiced support on Wednesday for the judicial and government campaign against corruption, calling graft a national priority “no less important than confronting terrorism.”

Bloc spokesman Hamed Abbas al-Moussawi said Badr backed the steps taken by the judiciary and government to investigate corruption and hold those responsible to account. “Corruption today represents a national priority no less important than confronting terrorism,” he said, calling it “the other face of terrorism” because both weaken the state and drain public wealth.

“If terrorism seeks to destroy countries with weapons, corruption works to exhaust them from within.” He called for proceedings to continue “firmly and free from any political pressure,” with accountability that was comprehensive and evidence-based.

The statement followed the government’s announcement of dozens of arrests of current and former lawmakers, politicians and officials in what it called the first phase of a wider campaign. State media identified 15 detainees, spanning Sunni and rival Shia blocs, and said the arrests stemmed from confessions by detained former Deputy Oil Minister Adnan al-Jumaili.

Support for the campaign has come from across Iraq’s political spectrum. Many of the parties now endorsing the drive have been part of Iraq’s governing class since 2004.