Iraqi Parliament Speaker Salim al-Jubouri has accused Defence Minister Khaled al-Obeidi of attempting to thwart the parliament’s questioning session over a corrupt arms deal through unfounded accusations against MPs.
Al-Jubouri told reporters on Monday that he had to withdraw from the parliament’s questioning session to preserve the interrogation neutrality after being personally accused by the minister.
“The interrogation process and the files in question against the Ministry of Defence involve high corruption,” he said. “The defence minister has fabricated stories to manipulate the people’s emotions.”
Al-Jubouri vowed that he will sue the minister for defamation.
On Monday al-Obeidi accused the parliament speaker and several lawmakers of corruption and blackmail.
He made the accusations as he appeared in parliament for questioning over corruption allegations brought by Alia Nasayif, a lawmaker whom the defence minister asserted was herself corrupt.