Former Iraq govt officials stripped of state privileges

By Amir al-Saadi

BAGHDAD (AA) - Twelve former government officials -- including ministers -- have been stripped of their state privileges, Iraq’s Public Integrity Commission, which is mandated with fighting government corruption, said Thursday.

The move came after Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi approved recommendations issued by a committee tasked with investigating government-issued property still owned by former officials.

The committee revealed the names of several former officials who had failed to return government-issued property after they had left public office.

According to a committee report, government property and assets still owned by 12 former officials had since been retrieved by the authorities.

The committee, however, refrained from giving the names of the former officials who had been stripped of their privileges.

Iraqi government officials are often allowed to retain some of their state privileges -- including vehicles, accommodations and security details -- after leaving public office.