Iraq condemns US Congressman's criticism of Iraqi judicial chief

Ministry says remarks by US Congressman Waltz against Zidan are "blatant interference in Iraqi internal affairs."

ISTANBUL:

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry rebuked on Saturday the threat by a US congressman to designate Faiq Zidan, head of Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), as a "tool of Iranian influence" in Iraq.

The ministry said in a statement that the remarks by US Congressman Mike Waltz against Zidan were "a blatant interference in Iraqi internal affairs."

Waltz on Thursday retweeted a US media report about him preparing to label the SJC and its president Zidan "Iranian-controlled assets" via a legislative move by submitting a draft law amendment that includes a clause to back up his claim.

The Iraqi ministry stressed that "attempting to influence the judiciary is a violation of the most important components of the (Iraqi) state's entity, which is responsible for achieving justice, equality, and national stability."

The Iraqi parliament's Acting Speaker Mohsen al-Mandalawi noted that Iraq, as a sovereign country, builds its relations with all countries "upon mutual respect."

Al-Mandalawi said that if the draft law is approved, it will constitute a dangerous turning point that will affect, in one way or another, Iraq-US relations.