President Barzani: ‘No impunity for corruption’

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani stated that in combatting corruption, no person or party has impunity, nor will anyone will be exempt from investigations.

On Tuesday, President Barzani discussed several reform processes and mechanisms that will be used to fight corruption. He spoke to Kurdistan Region Government (KRG) Judicial Council, Integrity Commission, Financial Observation Diwan, and judges from several cities and towns.

In a statement published Wednesday in the Kurdistan Region Presidency (KRP) website, Barzani said, "Fighting corruption and implementing [reforms] is a sacred national duty, an urgent project, and requires support from the people of Kurdistan Region."

The KRP statement clarified that judicial institutions, KRG, and KRP will be responsible for executing these reforms. Barzani also said that “he will stand against anyone who is an obstacle to the plan.” 

On Feb 10, President Barzani announced several reforms in Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) aiming to rescue Kurdistan Region from its critical financial crises.

Ahmed Anwar, head of Kurdistan Region Integrity Committee told Kurdistan24 on Tuesday that the meeting discussed "suitable mechanisms for the reform package...all attendees shared their opinions and recommendations for implementing reform.”

“All participants agreed that the danger of corruption is no less than the threat of terrorism. If we do not face corruption, this disease might cause [bigger] problems in Kurdistan Region if not [properly] dealt with,” Anwar added.

Reporting by Baxtiyar Goran

Editing by Ava Homa and Benjamin Kweskin