Iraq, Russia to sign anti-corruption agreement
The Head of the Federal Commission of Integrity, Haider Hanoun, and the Russian President’s Assistant, Igor Levitin. Photo: COI
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Head of the Federal Commission of Integrity (COI), Haider Hanoun, confirmed on Monday that an agreement has been reached with Russia to combat corruption and recover money smuggled abroad.
A statement issued by the COI explained that Hanoun received the Russian President’s Assistant, Igor Levitin, to review the memorandum of understanding that will be concluded between the COI and the Prosecutor General’s Office of Russia, which is concerned with combating corruption.
Hanoun elaborated that the memorandum of understanding is part of the COI’s interaction with the government’s program to fight corruption and extradite wanted criminals.
The Head of the COI explained that obstacles and difficulties facing Iraqi agencies in arresting criminals abroad could be overcome by concluding memoranda of understanding with these countries.
Levitin expressed Moscow’s readiness to cooperate with Iraq in confronting corruption, prosecuting criminals, and extraditing those wanted by the Iraqi judiciary.
The Russian official added that the work of the COI is difficult and requires support, especially with attempts by the corrupt to hinder the work of such agencies.