Iraqi top court hears four appeals against outgoing PM Kadhimi

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Iraqi Federal Supreme Court on Monday will discuss four lawsuits filed against outgoing Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi related to the legality of his appointment and acceptance of the resignation of several officials. 

One of the lawsuits has been filed by Muthanna al-Samarrai, head of the Azm Alliance, requesting the decision by the council of ministers to accept the resignation of former Minister of Finance Ali Allawi to be revoked.

Allawi resigned from his position in August, blaming Iraq’s ongoing political deadlock, international meddling, and overall corruption and influence of the ruling political parties.

An investigation by the Iraqi finance ministry concluded that $2.5 billion dollars in tax funds were stolen from a bank by five companies during the tenure of Allawi.

The Iraqi top court will also hear a motion filed against Kadhimi, parliamentary Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, and Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul Jabbar, requesting the removal of Jabbar from his position. 

The Iraqi parliament removed Jabbar from his post as acting finance minister on Tuesday, and petitions have been filed by the lawmakers to remove him as oil minister as well over his unwillingness to attend parliamentary meetings despite repeated calls demanding his attendance.

Two other lawsuits brought against the outgoing prime minister will also be discussed on Monday, asking for the decision to appoint Raed Jouhi as head of the Iraqi intelligence service to be repealed, as well as the decision to task Ali Waad of running the affairs of Babil province.

Kadhimi was named as interim prime minister in April 2020 by former President Barham Salih, following the resignation of Adel Abdel Mahdi and mass anti-government protests across Iraq. Kadhimi’s cabinet was supposed to serve until the formation of an elected government, which has only recently began to witness developments with the election of Abdul Latif Rashid as president and tasking Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani with the PM position.