Kurdistan Commission of Integrity: 127 corruption cases registered in 2015

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (K24) – The head of the Kurdistan Commission of Integrity Ahmed Anwar, revealed the number of corruption cases registered in the Kurdistan Region in 2015 that so far 127 cases registered and 67 persons punished in total.

On Wednesday, which is the International Anti-Corruption Day, Anwar revealed the number of corruption cases in the Kurdistan Region in a press conference held in Erbil.

He started with Erbil Province, "In Erbil alone, 64 corruption cases have been registered in 2015. 45 persons for this reason have been punished, and 15 cases delayed.” The number in Suleimani Province differs greatly, "Eight cases of corruption registered in Suleimani that 22 people have been punished. Three cases of corruption are postponed, and three more cases have been sent to court."

Anwar also revealed corruption cases in Duhok Province, "In Duhok Province alone, 55 cases have been registered." He continued, "Iraq and the Kurdistan Region suffer from corruption, and annually huge amount of money is wasted."

Iraq is the 173 most corrupt state out of 175 countries, based on the 2015 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International.

In 2014, the Kurdistan Commission of Integrity distributed forms to the members of Kurdistan Parliament, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) officials and Kurdistan Region Presidency, asking them to reveal their properties and income.

According to the commission, most of the members have filled the form and submitted it to the Kurdistan Commission of Integrity.