CPI arrests 33 persons accused of corruption

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Commission on Public Integrity (CPI) arrested 33 persons accused of corruption, all in one day, the CPI said in a release on Wednesday. “The operation that was conducted on May 24, 2009, came as part of the CPI attempts to arrest 997 persons accused of corruption, including 12 rank as a director general or higher,” said the release received by IraqiNews.com news agency. “The CPI issued 387 arrest warrants in April 2009, 12 of them for director generals or higher,” it said. According to the release, “the CPI conducted 51 arrest operations in April, and has executed 69 arrest warrants in May, 2009.” The Iraqi Commission on Public Integrity (CPI) is an independent commission within the government of Iraq tasked with preventing and investigating corruption at all levels of the Iraqi government nationwide. It is the coordinating umbrella organization for the other two pillars (The Board of Supreme Audit and the Inspectors General) of the national strategic anti-corruption campaign. The CPI seeks to promote and advance open, honest and accountable government through public education and awareness programs allowing citizens to report corruption through anonymous means. CPI works closely with the Inspectors General (IGs) of each ministry and with the Board of Supreme Audit (BSA) to coordinate anti-corruption efforts. The CPI is also working with Ministry of Education officials to implement curricular materials in ethics and civics in public schools. Judge Rahim al-Ogaili is the current Commissioner, appointed in December 2007. MH (S)/SH 1