Political sources report that the wiretapping activities extended to the families of key political and militia leaders. [Getty]
Iraq‘s “Wiretapping Network” scandal has prompted the filing of 80 lawsuits, with accusations targeting senior officials within the government office, judicial sources in Baghdad told Al-Araby al-Jadeed, the Arabic-language sister publication for The New Arab.
The expanding scandal has implicated high-profile figures, including government official Mohammed Juhi, who is alleged to have led a network responsible for eavesdropping on the phones of politicians, parliamentarians, and public figures.
Investigations, now in their third month, are centred on personnel in the government office and the Secretariat of the Council of Ministers. Juhi is reported to head an alleged wiretapping cell comprising around 20 people, including security staff and technical personnel overseeing the office’s information systems.
“The number of legal complaints filed against the ‘Wiretapping Network’ has now surpassed 80, with politicians, public figures, and members of parliament among the plaintiffs,” a judicial source told Al-Araby al-Jadeed’s Baghdad correspondent, Mohammed Basim.
The source also noted that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani is not implicated in the scandal, though additional leaks involving officials may emerge in the coming days.
Audio leaks and Integrity Commission investigation
This week, Iraq’s Integrity Commission launched an investigation into an audio recording purportedly featuring Abdul Karim al-Faisal, head of the Prime Minister’s advisory council, discussing a bribe request. Al-Faisal denied the allegations, calling the recording “fabricated.”
Prime Minister Sudani ordered the probe, which is being coordinated with Iraq’s anti-corruption court.
The Faisal recording is the third major leak in recent months. It follows the dismissal of former Integrity Commission head Haider Hanoun and the suspension of Tax Authority head Ali Waad Allawi over unrelated allegations of financial misconduct.
Judicial sources report that “11 MPs, a leader from the Coordination Framework alliance, and approximately 70 other political figures” have filed complaints upon learning their calls were intercepted.
The judiciary has issued 18 arrest warrants for alleged network members. Some suspects, identified as technicians and hackers central to the wiretapping operations, have reportedly fled Baghdad or even left Iraq.
In August, Iraqi security forces dismantled what officials described as a “wiretapping and forgery” network, allegedly led by Juhi. The network reportedly involved several government employees and security officers, according to MP Mustafa Sanad.
Political sources report that the wiretapping activities extended to the families of key political and militia leaders, prompting State of Law Coalition leader Nouri al-Maliki to file a lawsuit against Prime Minister Sudani. Maliki claims the alleged wiretapping violates Iraq’s social and tribal norms and furthers tensions within Iraq’s political scene.
The scandal’s origins trace back to an investigation Sudani initiated into an employee accused of disparaging officials on social media. MP Mustafa Sanad confirmed that this probe led to the arrests of several government employees, including Juhi. Sanad stated, “The network engaged in various unethical activities, from wiretapping officials, including myself, to launching fake news and impersonating public figures.”
In response, the Iraqi government released a statement condemning “misleading campaigns” and reiterating its commitment to pursuing legal action against “unfounded accusations.”
Parliamentary inquiryÂ
Former Iraqi minister and judge Wael Abdel Latif suggested to Al-Araby al-Jadeed that the Iraqi parliament may summon Prime Minister Sudani for questioning regarding the scandal.
Led by the Coordination Framework alliance, the inquiry is expected to include scrutiny of Sudani‘s pledge to hold early elections.
As the investigation deepens, analysts speculate that the scandal’s findings could reshape Iraq‘s political landscape, potentially leading to shifts in alliances.Â
While leaks continue to surface, most political factions have avoided public comment, with some advising members to refrain from discussing the issue with the media. Judicial sources anticipate that additional evidence will emerge, though the investigation’s final conclusions may require significant time to materialise.
