FORMER TADE MINISTER ARRESTED ON CORRUPTION CHARGES

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 001454

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2019
TAGS: ETRD KCOR PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: FORMER TADE MINISTER ARRESTED ON CORRUPTION CHARGES

REF: A. BAGHDAD 1396

B. BAGHDAD 1388 AND PREVIOUS


Classified By: Classified By: Acting Economic Counselor Ruth M. Hall,
Reasons 1.4 (b, d).

Summary
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1. (C) Acting on a warrant issued in the widening probe into
corruption within the Ministry of Trade, Iraqi authorities on
May 30 arrested recently-resigned Minister of Trade al-Sudani
as he was attempting to depart the country. Al-Sudani,s
arrest marks the first big test of the judiciary and
parliament,s growing muscularity in addressing corruption
within the executive ministries. End summary.

Significant Arrest
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2. (C) In a dramatic turn of events, Iraqi authorities
arrested former Minister of Trade Abdul Falah al-Sudani on
May 30 as he was trying to depart Iraq for the UAE.
Al-Sudani, who reportedly holds a UK passport, resigned his
post effective May 25 amidst charges of widespread corruption
in his ministry and following the issuing of arrest warrants
for 10 ministry employees, to include his two brothers (ref
B). The MOT is widely known to be riddled with corruption,
primarily associated with its role in managing the Public
Distribution System (PDS) food subsidy program.


3. (C) The current set of warrants stem from an investigation
carried out by Iraq,s anti-corruption agency, the Committee
on Integrity (COI),on unfit-for-consumption foodstuffs
(specifically spoiled tea) warehoused in Muthanna province.
The COI estimates that over USD 2 billion has been stolen
from the PDS system by ministry employees over the last four
years; roughly 70 percent of foodstuffs destined for the
program being siphoned off through corruption. The judicial
process in Muthanna proceeded concurrent with Council of
Representatives (COR) questioning of the minister over
corruption allegations and his subsequent resignation (ref A).

Denied Departure
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4. (C) While the initial tranche of 10 arrest warrants issued
by the Muthanna judge did not include al-Sudani, the judge
later, citing a preponderance of evidence linking al-Sudani
to corruption, decided to subsequently issue the warrant for
his arrest. Contacts informed us that upon hearing of the
judge,s decision to issue a warrant for the now former
minister, COR Integrity Committee head Sheikh Sabah
al-Sa,adi, knowing al-Sudani,s travel plans, contacted the
Director General for Aviation at the Ministry of Transport
and convinced him to prevent the departure of al-Sudani,s
flight.


5. (C) Upon the plane,s return to the gate at Baghdad
Airport, authorities pulled al-Sudani off of the UAE-bound
aircraft and placed him under arrest. We are not yet clear
on the location of or conditions surrounding al-Sudani,s
detention. Since the cases brought in Muthanna province
against the MOT employees are still in the investigative
phase, it is not yet clear how many of the accused, if any,
will stand trial. Iraqi law allows for suspects to be
detained for a maximum of six months before trial.

Comment
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6. (C) Al-Sudani,s arrest is a significant development in
the GOI,s anti-corruption drive, particularly given the
protection previously afforded him by the Prime Minister.
The confluence of the judicial system,s pursuit of MOT
officials for corruption with the COR,s more-muscular
oversight role certainly puts pressure on the executive.
Given the damning evidence of corruption within the MOT, it
is likely that the investigative judge will seek to expand
the probe -- a move that could cause a ripple effect touching
other prominent individuals or ministries.
Qother prominent individuals or ministries.
HILL