Baghdad: Iraq, represented by the Federal Integrity Commission, and the Russian Public Prosecutor’s Office have initiated the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding focused on combating corruption and recovering smuggled assets. This agreement involves the exchange of expertise in international cooperation aimed at curbing corruption and retrieving profits and proceeds obtained through corrupt means from abroad.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, during a meeting with experts from the Russian Public Prosecutor’s Office at the Commission’s headquarters, Commission Chairman Mohammed Ali Al-Lami highlighted the importance of international collaboration in preventing and safeguarding against corruption. He emphasized the need to consolidate efforts, as corruption has become a cross-border issue. Al-Lami stressed the necessity of developing effective mechanisms to confront and combat corruption, aiming to deter corrupt practices and prevent encroachment on public funds.

Al-Lami urged states that are parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption to adhere to its provisions, especially those pertaining to legal assistance, asset recovery, and extradition of wanted individuals. He identified obstacles in asset recovery, such as variations in national legal systems and laws, as well as challenges faced by oversight bodies in investigating taxpayers’ assets, including banking secrecy.

During the meeting, the First Deputy Chairman of the Commission expressed the Iraqi Anti-Corruption Academy’s interest in establishing a twinning agreement with the Russian Public Prosecution University. This would involve exchanging expertise in training and education, as well as sharing scientific and educational publications and materials related to combating and preventing corruption. He detailed the Academy’s activities, including the Higher Professional Diploma program focused on anti-corruption specializations.

Russian prosecutors, in turn, expressed optimism about the positive outcomes anticipated from the memorandum’s implementation. They outlined several cooperation mechanisms with Iraq for recovering smuggled funds and extraditing wanted persons. The Russian representatives also welcomed the proposed twinning between the Russian Public Prosecution University and the Iraqi Anti-Corruption Academy.