Iraqi parliament asked to lift immunity of 21 lawmakers

BAGHDAD – Iraq’s top judicial authority has requested the parliament lift immunity for 21 lawmakers, including 10 wanted on charges of corruption.

Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council said in a statement on Wednesday that it would not disclose the names of the lawmakers while the investigations are ongoing.

The unprecedented request comes two weeks after the U.S. imposed sanctions on two former provincial governors for engaging in corruption, including the misappropriation of state assets.

The U.S. Treasury Department also placed two Iraqi militia leaders under sanctions for human rights abuses. Some officials have said they expect more such sanctions on Iraqi officials in the future.

It was not immediately clear if and when parliament would meet to discuss the request.