Baghdad: On Monday, the Head of the Integrity Commission, Mohammed Ali Al-Lami, called for increased support from Interpol for Iraq’s efforts to combat corruption and pursue wanted individuals. He emphasized that confronting transnational corruption requires an effective international partnership that prevents corrupt individuals from finding safe havens and reinforces the principle that fleeing the country does not mean escaping justice.

According to Iraqi News Agency, a statement from the Commission reported that Al-Lami met with the President of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), Lucas Philippe, on the sidelines of his participation in the high-level government delegation accompanying Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi on his visit to France.

The two sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation mechanisms, activate direct communication and coordination channels regarding individuals wanted for corruption, and facilitate the exchange of information necessary to track and pursue them.

Al-Lami emphasized the importance of strengthening international cooperation and coordination to pursue individuals wanted or accused in corruption cases. He highlighted the need to accelerate tracking procedures and the exchange of relevant information, thereby tightening the net around wanted persons and preventing them from using other countries as safe havens to evade justice.

He noted that “the transnational nature of corruption offenses-and the associated smuggling of funds and movement of wanted individuals across borders-makes international cooperation a cornerstone of the anti-corruption framework,” while emphasizing “the necessity of preventing perpetrators from exploiting borders or disparities in legal systems and regulations to evade prosecution and benefit from the proceeds of their crimes.”

Both sides emphasized the importance of continued coordination and the development of channels for communication and the exchange of information and expertise between the two sides. This aims to enhance the response regarding individuals wanted for corruption-related offenses and to support Iraq’s efforts to pursue them and recover funds and assets obtained through their crimes.