The Commission of Integrity announced its continued efforts on extradition of convicted fugitives outside Iraq successfully especially extradition of the fugitive convict former Secretary General of the Ministry of Defense (Ziad Tariq Al -Qattan).

The COI Extradition Office revealed that it was able to extradite the convicted and put him under custody in a police station in Baghdad, expressing its regret of some statements on the subject, which overlooked the efforts of COI and its diligence in organizing files of extradition, which lasted years of work, as it had a vital role in the extradition of the convict Al-Qattan, who, over the past years, had used his Polish nationality, which had protected him from prosecution on its territory, and which the Commission had not been able to extradite him, because of his nationality despite the numerous attempts it had made.

The Extradition Office explained that the convict was wanted for cases in which the Commission had investigated and issued a final court order. The Office has organized dozens of files for extradition against him, which 49 files were sent to the Jordanian judiciary two days after the Jordanian authorities arrested him in its territory on 15 January 2017, noting that the total number of judicial decisions against him amounted to (650) years imprisonment, and that the funds claimed to be recovered close to 800 million dollars.

COI announced in 21/September that the Jordanian Appeal Court approved the decision to extradite ex-GS of MOD and ex- DG of Armaments and Equipment, Ziad Tariq Al-Qattan, after preparing dozens of extradition files issued against him in cooperation with the concerned authorities and sent it to the Jordanian side. COI mentioned that it sent the international bulletin and arrest warrants by which he was arrested by the Jordanian authorities in its territory. During the period of his detention in Jordan, COI, through direct coordination with Iraqi Embassy in Amman held many meetings with Jordanian Judicial Authority and presidency of Prosecutor General in order to convince the Jordanian side to extradite the convict to Iraq in accordance with the law and the provisions of the International Convention against Corruption, as well as other efforts carried out by the Iraqi Embassy through its meetings with Jordanian entities to convince them to extradite the suspect.

COI notes the supporting entities’ efforts for completing the procedures it had started several years ago, including presidency of Prosecutor General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Arab and International Police Directorate in the Ministry of Interior, Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Amman, legal office in Ministry of Justice and others entities. COI hopes more cooperation and coordination in extradition of convicts and smuggled assets.

It is noteworthy that the COI’s efforts has culminated this year in extradited ex-Minister of Trade, Abdul Falah Hassan Hamadi Al-Sudane. In 25/ January, COI announced that it was able to extradite, Abdul Falah Hassan Hamadi Al-Sudane from Lebanese authorities, who is wanted for several cases investigated by COI and final judicial decisions were issued.