Latest news with #FederalCourtofCassation
Rudaw Net
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iraq appoints new chief justice following judicial turmoil
Also in Iraq Makhmour camp residents warn of 'humanitarian catastrophe' amid blockade Sudani orders monitoring of water flow from Turkey Austrian ambassador praises President Barzani's role in Iraq Iraq reports 34 percent revenue decrease in four months A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan - Judge Munther Hussein was sworn in on Thursday as the new head of Iraq's highest judicial authority, the Federal Supreme Court, just days after his formal appointment by Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid. The move marks a significant step toward restoring stability within Iraq's top judicial body following a period of internal turmoil. Hussein took his constitutional oath before President Rashid, who reaffirmed 'full support for the success of the Federal Supreme Court in its constitutional tasks,' according to a statement from the Iraqi presidency. Rashid underscored the court's pivotal role in safeguarding Iraq's democratic process, ensuring the separation of powers, and maintaining judicial independence. In his remarks, Hussein pledged his 'commitment to the provisions of the [Iraqi] constitution and law,' emphasizing his determination to protect the court's independence and shield it from outside interference. Hussein previously served as deputy head of the Federal Court of Cassation and was a reserve member of the Federal Supreme Court. Rashid had on Monday formally appointed Hussein as the new head of the Federal Supreme Court following the retirement of former Chief Justice Jassim al-Umairi. Umairi's resignation - officially attributed to "health reasons" - followed a wave of resignations from within the Federal Supreme Court. In mid-June, six out of nine permanent members and three reserve members of the court stepped down, reportedly in direct protest against Umairi's leadership. Speaking to Rudaw on condition of anonymity, one of the resigned judges stated in mid-June, 'The behavior of the court president [Umairi] is unacceptable to us, and we are tired of dealing with his working manners.' However, following the appointment of Hussein, the resigned judges rescinded their retirement requests. According to INA, they stated that 'the reasons that led them to request retirement have been addressed.' The judges congratulated Hussein on his appointment and highlighted the importance of establishing 'sound judicial work mechanisms' and adhering strictly to constitutional jurisdiction. They also stressed the need to 'preserve the independence and neutrality of the judiciary and refrain from any behavior or practice that would compromise it.' Importantly, these developments come ahead of a highly anticipated legal session concerning the Kurdistan Region. Since early June, public servants in the Region have been urging the court to issue an injunction that would compel the federal government to resume salary disbursements, which have been suspended since late May. Tensions between Erbil and Baghdad escalated after the federal finance ministry halted all budget transfers to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), including the salaries of more than 1.2 million public employees. The ministry claimed the freeze was due to the KRG exceeding its allocated 12.67 percent share of the 2025 federal budget. Kurdish political parties have widely condemned the suspension, labeling it unconstitutional and politically motivated. President Rashid's swift endorsement of Judge Hussein may be seen as an attempt to stabilize the Federal Supreme Court at a time of mounting legal and constitutional challenges - including the urgent issue of public servant salaries in the Kurdistan Region.
Shafaq News
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq's highest judge steps down for medical reasons
Shafaq News – Baghdad Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council on Sunday confirmed the retirement of Jassim Mohammed Aboud al-Amiri, Chief of the Federal Supreme Court, the nation's highest judicial authority. In a statement, the council announced that a committee formed under the amended Federal Supreme Court Law No. 30 of 2005 approved al-Amiri's retirement due to health reasons. It nominated Munther Ibrahim Hussein, Deputy President of the Federal Court of Cassation, as his replacement, with the appointment now awaiting a presidential decree. Al-Amiri's departure follows the June 19 resignation of nine Supreme Court judges — six permanent members and three alternates — who stepped down just before the court was scheduled to rule on the Kurdistan Region salary dispute and the maritime border agreement with Kuwait. While early reports suggested Aboud had resigned with them, judicial officials later clarified he had instead retired for medical reasons. The nominated replacement, Hussein, born in Baghdad in 1963, earned a law degree from the University of Baghdad and graduated from the Judicial Institute in 1998. He has served on the Federal Court of Cassation since 2018, currently holding roles as deputy president, head of its criminal panel, and reserve member of the Supreme Court.
Shafaq News
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Path opens for Al-Halbousi's return following court decisions
Shafaq News/ Iraq's judiciary cleared Mohamed Al-Halbousi, leader of the Taqaddum (Progress) Alliance, of all previously filed charges, the alliance announced on Sunday. The alliance's media office revealed in a statement that the Iraqi judiciary acquitted Al-Halbousi of all prior accusations. It added that the relevant courts dismissed the complaints, dropped the charges, and closed the investigations against Al-Halbousi, with the Federal Court of Cassation upholding the rulings, making them final. Additionally, Taqaddum official Ammar Al-Jumaili told Shafaq News that the court decision legally enables Al-Halbousi to return to the presidency of the Council of Representatives, although no final decision has yet been made and the matter remains subject to Al-Halbousi's own choice. Al-Jumaili said Al-Halbousi would be the alliance's top candidate in Baghdad in the upcoming parliamentary elections and expressed confidence that the speakership would be secured for him in the next legislative term. In November 2023, Iraq's Federal Supreme Court terminated Al-Halbousi's membership in parliament following allegations that he forged a resignation letter for fellow lawmaker Laith Al-Dulaimi. The court's decision, deemed final and not subject to appeal, led to Al-Halbousi's removal from his position as Speaker of Parliament.
Shafaq News
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraqi court: Iranian convict not eligible for General Amnesty
Shafaq News/ Iraq's Federal Court of Cassation has rejected a petition to apply the General Amnesty Law to an Iranian national, a judicial source revealed on Thursday. 'The court upheld an earlier ruling by the Fourth Central Committee, which handles amnesty cases under the amended General Amnesty Law No. 27 of 2016,' the source told Shafaq News, clarifying that the committee had dismissed the application due to the refusal of claimants to waive their legal rights and demand for compensation. The individual was convicted under Article 406 of Iraq's Penal Code No. 111 of 1969, which mandates the death penalty for premeditated murder or killings under aggravating circumstances. The amended General Amnesty Law, approved by parliament on January 21, 2025, took effect in February, with courts beginning case reviews immediately and recording the first release on February 8. Parliamentary sources estimate that approximately 57,000 detainees may be eligible for release under the law, depending on the nature of their convictions.
Iraqi News
10-02-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Court of Cassation: Federal Court authority does not include non-contentious jurisdiction
The Vice President of the Federal Court of Cassation, Judge Hassan Fouad, confirmed on Monday that the Non-contentious jurisdiction does not fall within the jurisdiction of the Federal Supreme Court, but remains in session for the ordinary judiciary in accordance with its general jurisdiction and the legal provisions contained in the Civil Procedure Law. Fouad said in an article, received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "Article 94 of the Constitution of the Republic of Iraq stipulates that the decisions of the Federal Supreme Court are final and binding on all authorities, and since the procedures for issuing the order on a petition (Non-contentious jurisdiction) in accordance with Articles 151, 152 and 153 of the Civil Procedure Law No. 83 of 1969, as amended, are temporary and precautionary measures aimed at creating a balance between the parties to the lawsuit and to include an element of urgency without prejudice to the origin of the right."
