The Iraqi Ministry of Oil requested on Tuesday that the Joint Operations Command carry out the arrest warrant against fugitive MP MP Zahra al-Bajari, who is wanted on extortion and misinformation charges.
The warrant was issued by the Federal Commission of Integrity - Investigation Department and head of the Basra Federal Appeal Court - Investigation Court, specialized in integrity issues, the ministry stated.
The MP is accused of committing acts of misinformation and blackmail against the Basra Oil Company for personal gain and narrow interests, it added.
Bajari “took advantage of her parliamentary position or exploited some political figures to implement her goals of extortion, misinformation, and deliberate abuse against the company work, projects and officials.”
The statement stressed that her acts resulted in “direct and indirect damage to various important projects in the energy sector, disrupted and delayed their implementation, and harmed the investment environment in the Basra Oil Company.”
The ministry called on the security forces and legislative bodies to implement the judicial order to achieve justice.
Iraqi MPs enjoy parliamentary immunity that prevents their arrest. The immunity can be lifted if MPs vote in favor of it.
In May 2021, the Federal Supreme Court annulled the parliament's right to lift immunity, saying it can only be removed in case an MP is accused of criminal acts or violations.
