Former Minister Jailed for Corruption

By John Lee.

A Baghdad court has sentenced former environment minister Sargon Lazar Slewa [Sargon Lazon Sliwah, Karkis Sleiwa] (pictured) to two years in prison on charges of corruption.

A judicial spokesman told Reuters that Slewa, a Assyrian Christian who served in former premier Nuri al-Maliki's government, was taken into custody following the ruling and fined around $300,000.

Details of the case were not immediately available, and it is understood that the ruling can be appealed.

[Editor's Note: A detailed statement on Friday 6th November from the Assyrian Democratic Movement said it regards the ruling as "unfair and unjust", and trusts that the ruling will be overturned on appeal.]

(Sources: Reuters, AINA)