Azm Alliance urges due process after arrest of leader Muthanna al-Samarrai

BAGHDAD — The Azm Alliance called for respect for judicial procedures following the arrest of its leader, Muthanna al-Samarrai, and several of its lawmakers and officials, saying the investigations should not be prejudged or used in political or media disputes.

In a statement, the alliance said it was following developments concerning al-Samarrai and other members, and that the case should be handled “within the framework of constitutional and legal guarantees” that ensure justice and protect the rights of all parties.

The statement followed the Iraqi News Agency’s publication earlier Sunday of the first list of 15 names from what authorities described as 47 officials arrested in corruption cases. State media said the arrests were based on confessions by detained Deputy Oil Minister Adnan al-Jumaili. Those named included Samarrai and Azm lawmakers Mohammed al-Karbouli and Hind al-Abbasi, whom state media said were members of parliament whose immunity had been lifted, along with other senior officials.

The alliance said it respected the judiciary and had confidence in the country’s constitutional institutions, and would cooperate with the relevant authorities “within the applicable legal framework” to help establish the facts.

Azm urged political parties, media outlets and the public not to prejudge the process or use it in political or media rivalries, calling instead for adherence to constitutional principles including the presumption of innocence and the right to a fair trial.

The statement said Samarrai was known, in the alliance’s view, for promoting dialogue and “partnership among Iraq’s communities and for rejecting division, polarization and sectarianism.”

Azm is a Sunni political coalition.

It follows the large-scale deployment before dawn on Sunday, when armored vehicles, tanks and Counter Terrorism Service units entered Baghdad’s Green Zone. Residents reported several minutes of gunfire, while ambulances were seen entering residential compounds housing senior officials.

Jumaili, who served as deputy oil minister for extraction affairs, was detained earlier this month over alleged financial irregularities in the oil sector. Authorities have disclosed few details about the investigation beyond confirming he was in custody, but state media has repeatedly linked Sunday’s arrests to confessions made during his interrogation.