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."

Iraq Ministry condemns US statement on judicial interference PHOTO:Arab news

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.

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