Top Iraqi Judge Steps Down Over "Health Reasons", Successor Nominated
Judge Jassim Aboud has retired as head of Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court due to "health reasons", with Judge Munther Ibrahim Hussein nominated as successor. His departure follows mass resignations that threaten Iraq’s election legitimacy and judicial independence.
By Kamaran Aziz
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council has approved the medical leave and retirement of Federal Supreme Court President Judge Jassim Mohammed Aboud due to health-related reasons, according to a statement released on Sunday by the Judiciary Media Department and reported by the Iraqi News Agency (INA).
The same session of the specialized committee—mandated by Article (3/First and Second) of the amended Federal Supreme Court Law No. 30 of 2005—also nominated Judge Munther Ibrahim Hussein, the current Vice President of the Federal Court of Cassation, to succeed Aboud. A formal request has been submitted to the Presidency of the Republic to issue a republican decree to formalize the appointment.
Judge Munther Ibrahim Hussein, born in Baghdad in 1963, graduated from the University of Baghdad with a law degree in 1989 and completed his training at the Judicial Institute in 1998. He has served as Vice President of the Federal Court of Cassation since 2018 and heads its Criminal Board. He was previously an alternate member of the Federal Supreme Court.
The departure of Judge Aboud follows reported disputes with the federal government regarding sensitive legal files. According to INA and statements from legal circles, these tensions contributed to Aboud’s request to step down.
However, the retirement comes amid an even broader crisis within Iraq’s judiciary. As previously reported by Kurdistan24, a recent wave of resignations within the Federal Supreme Court has triggered deep concern over the legitimacy of future elections and the stability of the country's constitutional framework.
The mass withdrawal of six principal judges and three reserve members from Iraq’s highest court has alarmed both lawmakers and legal experts. The Federal Supreme Court holds exclusive constitutional authority to certify election results and adjudicate disputes between government institutions. The current state of judicial paralysis could therefore jeopardize the country’s ability to conduct future elections within constitutional bounds.
Member of Parliament Mohammed Anouz emphasized that “the recent developments represent a dangerous precedent for Iraq’s judiciary,” and warned that without a functioning court to validate election results, Iraq’s democratic processes face serious risk.
Mohi Al-Ansari, head of the Rashid Center for Development, also voiced concern, stating that “if this issue isn’t resolved within a month, the electoral process may collapse altogether.” He further criticized the increasing politicization of the judiciary, arguing that judges have been forced to resign under political pressure, thereby eroding judicial independence.
Legal analysts fear that if the judiciary’s impartiality continues to be undermined, it could lead to long-term constitutional instability. Iraq’s political leaders now face mounting pressure to restore the court’s functionality, safeguard the rule of law, and ensure the upcoming elections are held under legitimate legal oversight.
The nomination of Judge Munther Ibrahim Hussein is seen as a critical first step, but broader institutional reform may be necessary to prevent further erosion of Iraq’s legal system.
