Abdul-Mahdi condemns the inclusion of Iraqi names in the sanctions lists
Shafaq News / The resigned Iraqi Prime Minister, Adel Abdul-Mahdi, expressed on Sunday, his condemnation of the inclusion of the names of Iraqi leaders and figures in sanctions lists, in reference to the recent U.S. sanctions.
"We rejected and denounced the inclusion of the names of Iraqi leaders and figures known for their history and political role in combating ISIS in lists of sanctions and prohibitions by countries with which we have relations and agreements, and we also reject and denounce the insulting of the media to leaders of countries with whom we have relations and agreements by Iraqi demonstrators or insulting other names of well-known Iraqi personalities by the demonstrators. "
He added that "all these practices are harmful to Iraq and its people, encourage hatred and violence, damage the reputation of Iraq, mix papers and lead to dangerous practices and results harmful to everyone, difficult to control."
On Friday, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on 4 Iraqis, including three militia leaders linked to Iran, for allegedly violating human rights and killing protesters, as well as for their involvement in corruption cases.
The four who were affected by the sanctions were the leader of Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq militia, Qais Khazali and his brother Laith Khazali, as well as the Security Director of the Popular Mobilization Forces, Hussein Faleh, known as Abu Zainab al-Lami, and the leader of al-Mihwar al-Watani in the Iraqi Parliament, Khamis Farhan al-Khanjar al-Issawi.
A statement by the US Treasury said that the Office of Foreign Assets Control included Qais Al-Khazali, Laith Al-Khazali, and Hussein Falih Abdul Aziz Al-Lami, according to Executive Order No. 13818, because of their involvement in massive violations of human rights in Iraq.
The office also included, to that, the millionaire businessman Khamis Farhan Al-Khanjar Al-Issawi, for bribing government officials and practicing corruption at the expense of the Iraqi people.
"Iran's attempts to suppress the legitimate demands of the Iraqi people to reform their government by killing peaceful demonstrators is horrific," Treasury Secretary Stephen Mnuchin said, adding that "peaceful opposition and public protest are essential elements in all democracies. The United States stands with the Iraqi people in their efforts to eliminate corruption and we will hold accountable the perpetrators of human rights violations and corruption in Iraq. "
Under these penalties, all property and interests in the property of the said individuals, and any entities owned by them, directly or indirectly, are prohibited by 50 percent or more, whether individually or in combination with other listed persons, located within the United States or in the possession or control of people residing in the United States.
"The Iraqi people want to restore their country. They are calling for honest reforms, accountability and trustworthy leaders who prioritize Iraq," said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a statement after the sanctions resolution was issued.
