By John Lee.
Iraq's Commission of Integrity has announced a court ruling sentencing Suha Dawood Elias Al-Najjar, former Chair of the National Investment Commission (NIC), to seven years in prison.
The charges relate to alleged unlawful wealth accumulation and illicit gains.
The Central Anti-Corruption Criminal Court issued the verdict in absentia, finding Al-Najjar guilty of disproportionate financial growth inconsistent with her legitimate income sources. The ruling also mandates the repayment of the illicit gains and imposes an equivalent fine.
Case Details:
- A technical report by the Integrity Commission revealed significant unexplained financial growth in Al-Najjar's assets.
- Evidence included the transfer of funds from a private company, where Al-Najjar held the position of managing director while serving as NIC Chairwoman, to a foreign company's account.
- This dual role raised concerns about conflicts of interest, further implicating her in violations of financial integrity.
The court based its decision on multiple pieces of evidence, including:
- The technical report from the Integrity Commission.
- Testimony from the legal representative.
- Findings from the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Office.
The ruling was issued under Article 19, Paragraph 2, of the Integrity and Illicit Gains Commission Law No. 30 of 2011 (as amended).
The previous Prime Minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, appointed Ms Al-Najjar head of the NIC in September 2000; she stepped down from the role in late 2022.
(Source: Commission of Integrity)
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