MP sentencing sparks outrage in parliament

Parliamentarians have responded with outrage to the conviction of a sitting MP found guilty of a misdemeanor, while claims that he enjoys immunity have been rejected by the judiciary.

On March 5, the Karkh Misdemeanor Court sentenced MP Hadi Al-Salami to 6 months in prison for spreading false accusations against a state institution. Salami accused the Ministry of Trade of corruption based on a report by the Federal Board of Supreme Audit, which turned out to be fake.

The conviction was met with surprise and outrage by Salami’s colleagues in parliament because MPs are entitled to immunity as outlined in the constitution. Article 63 states:

A. A member of the Council of Representatives shall enjoy immunity for statements made while the Council is in session, and the member may not be prosecuted before the courts for such.

B. A Council of Representatives member may not be placed under arrest during the legislative term of the Council of Representatives, unless the member is accused of a felony and the Council of Representatives members consent by an absolute majority to lift his immunity or if he is caught in flagrante delicto in the commission of a felony.

Salami won his seat running as an independent MP in Najaf and secured just under 14,000 votes as the fifth-highest vote winner in the province. Prior to his election, Salami had built a reputation as a civil activist and was part of a local civil society organization called Maraya Center. Since joining parliament, Salami has built close ties with other independent MPs who have coalesced around acting speaker Muhsin Al-Mandalawi.