U.S. official: Some American figures face judicial proceedings in the U.S on charges of corruption in Iraq

BASRA / NINA / The special inspector for Iraq Reconstruction, Stuart Bowen announced today that dozens of Americans figures, who previously worked in the institutions of government in Iraq, are facing judicial proceedings in the United States on charges of corruption. He told the National Iraqi News Agency / NINA / that "The competent courts in the United States have taken legal proceedings against 90 American personals, who had roles in political life in Iraq after 2003," noting, "Some of them have been actually prosecuted and convicted." He pointed out that "professional actors in the United States continue to search for evidence to prosecute other personalities for being involved in corruption cases during its work in Iraq." Bowen stressed that "the American government is keen to support the democratic process in Iraq and support the fight against corruption in Iraq in general and Basra in particular." For his part, the governor of Basra, Majed al-Nasraoui acknowledged, during the meeting, which combined with the U.S. official, the existence of corruption in some official institutions. He said: "The local government appreciates the American role in this aspect," adding that "the local government effort focused on the formation of specialized committees working to identify cases of corruption and fight them through the legal process." / End