Baghdad: The Federal Integrity Commission has declared the issuance of a four-year rigorous imprisonment sentence in absentia for two individuals who impersonated commission employees to extort money from officials in Anbar Governorate.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Commission revealed that the Third Karkh Criminal Court delivered the verdict after investigating the case and referring it to the judiciary. The defendants were found guilty of sending threatening and extortionate messages, misleading officials by falsely claiming that their names were mentioned in the confessions of a detained member of Parliament. They further attempted to exploit the situation by offering to close the case in exchange for financial benefits.

The Commission emphasized that the Third Karkh Criminal Court, after examining the substantial evidence, was convinced of the defendants’ culpability, leading to the verdict based on the provisions of Resolution (160 of 1983), as amended. The Commission has previously cautioned against the activities of extortionists who attempt to misuse its anti-corruption campaign by impersonating its members. It urged the public and institutions to remain vigilant and report any suspicious claims of affiliation with the Commission through its official toll-free number, 154.