Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Phoenix Base
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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release No. 080820-01
August 20, 2008
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DSN:  318-852-1356
IRAQNA:  0790-194-0270
www.mnf-iraq.com

Ministry of Interior opens its new court system (Baghdad)

Baghdad – The Ministry of Interior started its own court system in accordance with the new Iraqi Security Forces Penal Code.   The first court day was Jul. 29, in the Hilla Regional Court. 

The cases ranged from misdemeanor crimes to major crimes of corruption and terrorism.  The new Iraqi Security Forces Penal Code includes penalties often more stringent than the civilian criminal code.

“We are glad to have this new court system now in operation that will hold our policemen and other employees to a higher standard,” said a spokesman for the ministry.  “This also shows the Ministry of Interior will not allow corruption of any type in its ranks and the penalties will be severe.”

Among the sentencing guidelines; for a Ministry of Interior employee found guilty of surrendering a Ministry of Interior facility or terrorism, a guilty verdict results in the death penalty.  For personally benefiting from a Ministry of Interior contract, the penalty is 10 years imprisonment, and 15 years in prison for sexual misconduct.

As of mid August, there were 24 cases pending, 10 in Baghdad, and seven each in the Hilla and Basra regional courts.
      
The Ministry of Interior court system will have five regional courts located in Irbil, Mosul, Baghdad, Hilla and Basra.

The Region 1 court will be based in Irbil and serve the Irbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Dahuk areas.

The Region 2 court will be headquartered in Mosul and will serve Ninawa, Kirkuk, and Salah ad-Din.

Baghdad will be the headquarters for Region 3 and will be responsible for cases from Diyala, Wasit, and al-Anbar provinces.

The Region 4 court will be at Hilla with responsibility for cases from al-Qadisiyah, Babil, Karbala, and Najaf.

The Region 5 court will be headquartered in Basra and will serve Maysan, Dhi Qar, and al-Muthanna Provinces.

A defendant found guilty can appeal the verdict to the Ministry of Interior Appellate Court that will be located in Baghdad.

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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS RELEASE, CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL SECURITY TRANSITION COMMAND – IRAQ PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE BY E-MAIL AT This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it OR BY PHONE AT DSN: (318) 852-1356 OR IRAQNA: 0790-194-0270.  FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION VISIT:  WWW.MNSTCI.IRAQ.CENTCOM.MIL .