URGENT / Court turns down request to strip MP Alusi of immunity

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraq’s Supreme Federal Court on Monday handed down a ruling rejecting the parliament’s decision to strip independent lawmaker Mithal al-Alusi of immunity for his participation in a conference held in Israel, a legal expert said. “This ruling is binding for the legislative and executive authorities by virtue of article 94 of the Iraqi constitution,” Talaat Harb, Alusi’s lawyer, told IraqiNews.com. The Iraqi parliament had voted on September 14 in favor of a decision to lift immunity off legislator Alusi for his participation in a conference on “terrorism” held in Israel. AmR (P) 1