Former Commission of Integrity (CoI) employee sentenced in absentia for asset inflation

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - The Federal Commission of Integrity (CoI) announced on Friday that a former employee of the commission has been sentenced in absentia to seven years in prison and fined 1,250,800,000 Iraqi dinars for illicitly inflating his assets.

The Commission's Media and Government Communication Office detailed the case, which was investigated by the Commission and subsequently referred to the judiciary.

The Central Criminal Court for Combating Corruption issued the ruling against the fugitive Bashir Sabah Hadi, a former employee of the Commission of Integrity (CoI).

The verdict includes a seven-year prison sentence, the return of illicit gains amounting to 625,400,000 Iraqi dinars, and an additional fine of the same amount.

The Media Office explained that the technical report prepared by the Prevention Department revealed that Hadi had acquired illicit gains and inflated his wealth.

The report noted that he had purchased two apartments in Turkey, owned gold jewelry, and possessed a substantial sum of money that could not be justified by his legitimate income.

The Commission's legal department clarified that the court, after reviewing the evidence and considering the accused's fugitive status, found sufficient grounds for conviction and issued its decision in absentia. The ruling is based on Article (19/Second) of the Integrity and Illicit Gains Commission Law No. (30 of 2011) as amended.

The decision also mandated the issuance of an arrest warrant against the convict and stipulated that he cannot be released after serving his sentence until the owed amounts are paid.

The Federal Commission of Integrity (CoI) retains the right to request compensation after the decision becomes final.

Prior to this verdict, the head of the commission, Judge Haider Hanoun, had announced the issuance of a red notice against Bashir Sabah Hadi due to his asset inflation and illegal gains.