Baghdad provincial council votes to retire governor, he calls decision illegal
The source also indicated that during the same session, the council discussed the issue of audio leaks with a 'spyware nature' and voted to hold all those involved or negligent accountable.
In response, Baghdad Governor Abdul Muttalib Al-Alawi issued a clarification regarding the decision to refer him to retirement and the audio leaks. Al-Alawi stated that the Baghdad Provincial Council's decision to retire him was made during an extraordinary session, noting that this matter was not on the agenda nor was it voted on for inclusion. He emphasized that the council's internal regulations do not permit discussing any topics outside the agenda during extraordinary sessions, rendering the decision against him lacking formal and legal legitimacy.
Al-Alawi highlighted that since assuming responsibility for Baghdad Governorate, he has faced repeated attempts to remove him through retirement, totaling ten attempts so far, all under the pretext of reaching the legal age. He clarified that he was elected Governor of Baghdad by a unanimous vote of the current 52 members of the Provincial Council in a session held in January 2024, at which point he was already retired. He also asserted that the law does not specify an upper age limit for those appointed to the position of governor.
He affirmed his commitment to legal and professional responsibility and public service, stating he would resort to legal mechanisms outlined in Law No. 21 of 2008 concerning governorates not organized into regions and its amendments, by challenging the decision before the competent judicial authorities.
Regarding the recent audio leaks, Al-Alawi confirmed that as the capital's governor, he operates according to professional legal and administrative principles and has never used any illegal methods under any circumstances. He clarified he has no connection to those leaks, whether they are true or false, and has directed the formation of an official investigative committee according to administrative and legal procedures to follow up on the matter.
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