Arrests and corruption allegations roil the political landscape

A recent spate of arrests and accusations of corruption in Iraq has sent shockwaves through the country's political establishment, highlighting the fragile state of its political peace.

The most significant development over the past couple of weeks is the arrest of Mohammed Juhi, an influential official within the Prime Minister's Office and a close associate of PM Sudani. Juhi, who holds multiple roles within the PMO, including as deputy head of the administration department, a member of the government follow-up task force, and the PMO’s primary interlocutor with MPs, has been accused of leading a sophisticated and illegal wiretapping operation. His alleged targets include senior politicians and members of parliament, with accusations of extortion further complicating his case.

Juhi’s familial connection to Raed Juhi, the former chief of staff under PM Kadhimi, adds an additional layer of intrigue. Mohammed Juhi is said to have cultivated strong ties with the current prime minister, but it has yet to be determined whether Sudani knew about Juhi’s activities. The scale of the wiretapping, including reports that the head of the Supreme Judicial Council, Faiq Zaydan, may have been targeted, underscores the audacity of the alleged actions.