Iraq’s highest court said members of parliament – which elect the country’s president – have asked it to rule on a claim that Zebari’s candidacy is “unconstitutional” because of accusations of corruption.
Zebari’s suspension is “temporary” while the Court studies the case, according to this decision, announced on the eve of a parliamentary session in which the 329 deputies must elect the new president of the Republic.
The plaintiffs consider that Zebari does not meet the conditions required by the Constitution to become president, that is, “a good reputation and integrity,” the Court said.
Specific, they cite his dismissal in 2016 by parliament when he was finance minister “due to accusations related to acts of financial and administrative corruption.”
The complaint cites at least two other court cases in which the 68-year-old former minister is implicated, including when he was head of diplomacy. It also indicates “abuse of power” related to “significant sums spent on a building that did not belong to the State.”
Some 25 candidates compete in the presidential elections, but two veteran politicians stand out: Zebari and the current president Barham Salehboth from the two rival parties that dominate the autonomous region of Kurdistan.
Zebari is a senior member of the influential Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).
The first force in the Iraqi parliament with 73 deputies, the movement of the Shiite leader Moqtada Sadr, who withdrew his support for Zebari on Friday, announced that he was going to boycott Monday’s session.
Source: Ambito
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