Head of Kurdistan Region Central Bank arrested


13/4/2016

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The head of Kurdistan Region Central Bank Adham Karim and his deputy Ahmed Khidir were arrested by Erbil police on Wednesday.

The Kurdistan Commission of Integrity ordered security officials to arrest Karim and Khidir who will be investigated for suspected corruption cases involving contractors’ bank cheques. Their arrest is part of the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) reform plan in combating corruption.

Kurdistan24 understands that they are now under the investigation of the commission.

On March 1, President of the Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani discussed several reform processes and mechanisms that will be used to fight corruption. President Barzani spoke to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Judicial Council, Integrity Commission, Financial Observation Diwan, and judges from several cities and towns.

"Fighting corruption and implementing [reforms] is a sacred national duty, an urgent project, and requires support from the people of Kurdistan," Barzani said, according to the presidency's statement.

The statement clarified that judicial institutions, KRG, and KRP will be responsible for executing these reforms. President Barzani also said that “he will stand against anyone who is an obstacle to the plan.”

On Feb. 10, President Barzani announced several reforms in the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) aiming to rescue Kurdistan from its critical financial crises.

Ahmed Anwar, head of Kurdistan Region Integrity Committee, told Kurdistan24 that the meeting discussed "suitable mechanisms for the reform package [where] all attendees shared their opinions and recommendations for implementing change.”

“All participants agreed that the danger of corruption is no less than the threat of terrorism. If we do not face corruption, this disease might cause [bigger] problems in the Kurdistan Region if not [properly] dealt with,” Anwar added.




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