Parliament dismisses investment commission chief over graft allegations

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Council of Representatives voted Thursday to dismiss National Investment Commission Chairman Haider Makkiya and refer his case files to the Federal Integrity Commission after questioning him in absentia over allegations of administrative and financial violations.

Parliament’s media office said lawmakers voted to remove Makkiya and refer the files to the Integrity Commission after he failed to attend the questioning session. Earlier Thursday, parliament said it had begun questioning him in absentia after he did not appear.

The questioning followed weeks of parliamentary efforts to summon Makkiya over allegations related to the awarding of investment contracts, the granting of investment licenses, the allocation of state land and the management of major housing and development projects. Lawmakers also alleged violations of administrative procedures and the Investment Law, according to documents released ahead of the session.

MP Adel al-Rikabi, who requested the questioning, previously said the move was based on “suspicions of corruption and the granting of investment contracts in violation of the controls and the Investment Law.”

The referral sends the case to the Federal Integrity Commission for investigation. The parliamentary vote does not constitute a criminal conviction, and the commission has not publicly announced any findings.

Makkiya has headed the National Investment Commission since 2023.