Will the release of Rafie al-Issawi pave the way for the return of other Iraqi figures to the country and ignite the competition for the political cake?

Baghdad

- Concern has become prevalent in Iraqi Sunni circles after the release of former Finance Minister Rafie al-Issawi, who is accused of corruption cases, about the possibility of him returning to the political arena and entering into a struggle for leadership of the Sunni House and competing with other blocs.

Al-Issawi is considered one of the Sunni figures with great influence in Anbar Governorate (western Iraq), and he held the position of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance between 2006 and 2014 (during the two periods of former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki’s rule) before his resignation in protest against al-Maliki’s policies, to be followed by charges of terrorism. Corruption was described as "slanderous".

On Sunday, the Iraqi judiciary released al-Issawi, and acquitted him of some of the charges against him.

Al-Muhammadi ruled out a struggle for the leadership of the Sunni House at this political stage (Iraqi press)

Al-Issawi is far from positions

"There is no conflict over the leadership of the Sunni House at this sensitive political stage," this was indicated by the representative of the Sunni "Sovereignty Alliance" Yahya al-Muhammadi in his interview with Al Jazeera Net.

Al-Mohammadi added that the Iraqi judiciary has not completely exonerated Al-Issawi so far, because there are several cases under investigation.

Al-Muhammadi said that Al-Issawi will be away from the political process in Iraq during the next stage, and he cannot enter into any political deal, as some in the local media are rumored to be.

Al-Issawi had surrendered to the Iraqi judiciary on June 16, 2020, in preparation for his retrial, based on decisions in absentia that were issued against him years ago.

The judiciary decided at the time to accept Al-Issawi’s objection to the judgments in absentia, given that he surrendered and based on the provisions of Article 247 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Al-Abadi made it clear that the Iraqi judiciary acquitted Al-Issawi of cases, and he is still being tried in other cases (communication sites)

Other issues

For his part, the legal expert, Ahmed Al-Abadi, considered that Al-Issawi's recent acquittal came after investigations into some of the cases he was owed.

In an interview with Al-Jazeera Net, Al-Abadi indicated that Al-Issawi is now pending 4 other cases, which are being investigated.

He added that the judiciary released al-Issawi on financial bail until the rest of the other cases are resolved, which are awaiting the availability of evidence of guilt to settle the decision.

Regarding the possibility of political settlements regarding other wanted figures, Al-Abadi made it clear that legal issues in Iraq in general are highly politically motivated.

Hours after al-Issawi's release, the Iraqi judiciary issued an official clarification in which it denied dropping all charges against him.

In a statement received by Al Jazeera Net, the Court of Appeal said that the Federal Court of Cassation directed the concerned court to complete the necessary investigative procedures to access the funds, the fate of which is still unknown, and the aforementioned accused is wanted for other cases, some of which are still under trial in the Criminal Court and the Misdemeanors Court, and another Another is under investigation in the Rusafa Investigation Court.

Nasser: Al-Issawi will be far from the political arena at the current stage (communication sites)

anticipate future

On the other hand, political expert Duraid Al-Nasser told Al-Jazeera Net that the leadership of the Sunni House needs the availability of many things away from the popular aspects of the people within the concerned component.

Al-Nasser explained that the financial aspect and international support are two things that control the issue of movement towards leadership, ruling out at the same time the entry of "Rafa al-Issawi in a struggle with the political class for leadership of the Sunni House at this stage."

The political expert believes that Al-Issawi will be far from the political arena at the current stage, while he is expected to return to it in the next few years when the appropriate opportunity becomes available.

With the return of al-Issawi, there was talk of moves to cancel arrest warrants issued against senior officials convicted of terrorism or corruption charges, including former Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi, tribal leader Ali Hatem Suleiman, former Nineveh governor Atheel al-Nujaifi and others.

Al-Nujaifi ruled out a political settlement with Sunni leaders at the present time (Al Jazeera Net)

critical comment

In a brief comment by former Nineveh Governor Atheel Al-Nujaifi on the circulating news of a political settlement with Sunni leaders, Al-Nujaifi ruled out, during his speech to Al Jazeera Net over the phone, the possibility of a political settlement with some leaders outside Iraq who are accused of multiple files.

He added that "political targeting is still continuing," referring to the circulating news.

As for political affairs researcher Saad al-Zubaidi, he said that the release of al-Issawi is a first step towards opening the door to settlement before other Sunni figures accused of issues.

Al-Zubaidi explained that the data indicate that the Iraqi judiciary agreed to retry all the personalities who were sentenced in absentia during the time of former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

And the Iraqi researcher continued - in an interview with Al-Jazeera Net - that Al-Issawi's return to the political scene would open the door to the struggle for the leadership of the Sunni House, as the latter is very popular, especially in Anbar Governorate.