Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi announced the killing on Twitter. AFP
Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi announced the killing on Twitter. AFP

Two senior Iraqi officials jailed for corruption



Iraq jailed two senior officials on Sunday as part of the government's anti-corruption drive led by Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi.

The country is ranked one of the top 20 most corrupt in the world, according to Transparency International, an anti-corruption non-government organisation.

Nearly $450 billion in public funds has vanished into the pockets of politicians and business representatives since the 2003 US-led invasion.

Baha Abdul Hussein, who as head of electronic payment company Qi Card was responsible for dispensing government salaries and pensions, was found guilty of intentional harm to public funds by the country's Criminal Court.

Abdul Hussein was sentenced to four years in prison, a judiciary source told media outlets.

He had been arrested by authorities last September on his arrival at Baghdad Airport.

A second official, Ahmed Abdul Jalil, former head of the national pensions authority, was sentenced to six years in jail.

In addition to his jail term, Abdul Hussein was fined 10 million dinars ($6,800) for paying bribes to Abdel Jalil, the source said.

After taking office last May, Mr Al Kadhimi launched an anti-corruption push, forming a committee to tackle the issue.

Abdul Hussein was the first person to be arrested as a result of its investigations.

Mr Al Kadhimi has made new appointments at the Central Bank of Iraq and the country's integrity and investment commissions to try to stem government corruption.

THE SPECS

Touareg Highline

Engine: 3.0-litre, V6

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Power: 340hp

Torque: 450Nm

Price: Dh239,312

How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm

Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km

Price: from Dh94,900

On sale: now

How to get there

Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
 

Tori Amos
Native Invader
Decca