Iraq’s Central Anti-Corruption Court sentenced MP Hassanein al-Khafaji to two years in prison for extortion, amid an ongoing anti-corruption crackdown by the government.

Iraq’s Federal Commission of Integrity announced on Thursday an in-person sentence of severe imprisonment for a sitting lawmaker convicted of extorting $500,000 from a private investor. 

According to the commission, the lawmaker demanded that an investor register a 40% stake in the "Hawra Baghdad" housing project under the name of one of his staff members. 

This equity demand was made in exchange for a promise to illicitly influence the Supreme Judicial Council and anti-corruption bodies to drop an active illicit enrichment case and lift an asset freeze against the complainant.

“This was in addition to intervening with the Baghdad Investment Commission to resume work on the 'Jawharat Baghdad' residential project,” the commission added.

Court Cites Audio Transcripts and Co-Defendant Confession 

The commission said after reviewing the evidence and proofs in the case—consisting of the confession of the other defendant (Anwar Sabah Abd Sadiq), transcripts of the audio recordings, witness testimonies, and a copy of the concluded contract—the Court found them sufficient and convincing for conviction.

Consequently, it issued its decision sentencing both convicts to two years of severe imprisonment, based on the provisions of Article 452/1 of the Iraqi Penal Code.

The court found the evidence, including audio recordings, witness testimonies, and a co-defendant's confession, sufficient to secure a conviction. 

As a result, both defendants were sentenced to two years of severe imprisonment under Article 452/1 of the Iraqi Penal Code.

National Anti-Corruption Campaign Continues 

The conviction of al-Khafaji is part of a massive anti-corruption crackdown launched in late June, which saw elite forces raid Baghdad's Green Zone and strip political figures of immunity following confessions from a corrupt former oil official.

Yesterday, the Federal Commission of Integrity uncovered a massive illicit enrichment case, announcing prison sentences for a municipal administration director in Nasiriya and their spouse following the discovery of large sums of cash in their home.

Meanwhile, authorities arrested the director of Kirkuk’s Veterinary Department and other officials today on corruption charges tied to the ongoing nationwide crackdown.