Warrant expected for Iraq's former defence minister [View All]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L1939411.htm

Warrant expected for Iraq's former defence minister


BAGHDAD, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Iraqi authorities are expected to issue an arrest warrant for the country's former defence minister in connection with the disappearance of more than $1 billion, a top corruption investigator said on Monday.

Radhi al-Radhi, the head of Iraq's Commission on Public Integrity, said he handed a file of evidence against Hazim Shaalan, who served under Interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, to Iraq's central criminal court two months ago and expected a warrant for his arrest to be issued soon.

"I expect the court will issue the warrants in the next week to 10 days, for Shaalan and for other senior officials," Radhi told Reuters in an interview.