ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – In a parliamentary session on Monday the Iraqi Defense Minister Khalid al-Obeidi – who was invited for the questioning session – accused the Iraqi Speaker of Parliament Salim al-Jabouri of corruption.
With the collection of 60 signatures of the Iraqi MPs, the parliament summoned Obeidi on Monday to speak before the MPs about corruption cases when the minister unexpectedly named other officials, among them Jabouri, whom he said were involved in corruption cases.
“Salim Jabouri and his brothers were asking me every day to transfer soldiers and high-ranking officials,” within the Iraqi army, said Obeidi during his speech before the MPs.
After Obeid’s accusations, the speaker left the session and said he would not return to his seat until he proved his innocence.
Speaking at a press conference in the parliament, the speaker added that “I called on Khalid Obeidi to reveal names of those who are involved in corruption cases, but he chose to ruin the session by making these allegations.”
“If Obeidi can provide evidence for his charges against me, I am ready for any kind of investigations,” he said defying the defense minister, adding that “For the charges Obeidi claimed against me I will turn to the court since his claims are baseless.”
Claims made by the defense minister in the parliament resulted in immediate reactions by the Iraqi Premier Haider al-Abadi who called on the Iraqi Commission of Integrity to follow up on names that the speaker listed to parliament.
“We will form an investing committee to follow up on the names Obeidi mentioned in today’s parliament assembly,” Tala Zaubaai, head of commission of integrity said.
With the collection of 60 signatures of the Iraqi MPs, the parliament summoned Obeidi on Monday to speak before the MPs about corruption cases when the minister unexpectedly named other officials, among them Jabouri, whom he said were involved in corruption cases.
“Salim Jabouri and his brothers were asking me every day to transfer soldiers and high-ranking officials,” within the Iraqi army, said Obeidi during his speech before the MPs.
After Obeid’s accusations, the speaker left the session and said he would not return to his seat until he proved his innocence.
Speaking at a press conference in the parliament, the speaker added that “I called on Khalid Obeidi to reveal names of those who are involved in corruption cases, but he chose to ruin the session by making these allegations.”
“If Obeidi can provide evidence for his charges against me, I am ready for any kind of investigations,” he said defying the defense minister, adding that “For the charges Obeidi claimed against me I will turn to the court since his claims are baseless.”
Claims made by the defense minister in the parliament resulted in immediate reactions by the Iraqi Premier Haider al-Abadi who called on the Iraqi Commission of Integrity to follow up on names that the speaker listed to parliament.
“We will form an investing committee to follow up on the names Obeidi mentioned in today’s parliament assembly,” Tala Zaubaai, head of commission of integrity said.
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