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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Iraq’s former trade minister Falah al-Sudani was sentenced on Monday to 21 years in jail by an Iraqi court. He was involved in a corruption scandal connected to the country’s massive food rations programme.
Sudani, from the ruling Dawa party, served as minister of trade from 2006 to 2009. He was sacked and slapped with criminal charges in 2009. Released on $43,000 bail, he was arrested trying to flee the country.
He fled again, however.
He was extradited from Lebanon and taken into Iraqi custody on January 25.
Sudani was given three seven-year sentences, two for “negligence” and another for “misconduct,” AFP reported.
He appealed the decision, according to Iraqi media, arguing that the charges are old and had expired. The court refused his appeal.
Sudani is facing another six charges.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi has vowed to fight corruption, saying it is the second war the country has to fight following victory over ISIS.
