InfoAnda - Ex-Iraq trade minister arrested in mid-flight drama

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Khmer Rouge tribunal summons gov't party officials | 8 October 2009
Head of Los Angeles Getty Museum steps down | 9 January 2010
U.S. to push hard for Palestinian statehood | 3 April 2009

Bombs kill 50 in Iraq as violence flares | 11 July 2009

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Ex-Iraq trade minister arrested in mid-flight drama

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Africa Europe Latin America Middle East North America Search Search: Ex-Iraq trade minister arrested in mid-flight drama AFP - Sunday, May 31 BAGHDAD (AFP) - - Former Iraqi trade minister Abdel Falah al-Sudani was arrested on Saturday after his plane was dramatically ordered back to Bagdhad as he tried to flee the country in the wake of a graft scandal. ADVERTISEMENT Sudani was on board a flight to Dubai, which authorities turned back to the capital so that he could be arrested, said Sabah al-Saedi, head of parliament's corruption and integrity commission. "The minister was trying to escape from justice and was headed to the United Arab Emirates (UAE)," said Saedi. "After some phone calls were made to judicial authorities and the airport, the airplane was turned back and the minister arrested," he said. On Monday, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's office announced that Sudani had resigned amid allegations of corruption and embezzlement linked to the nation's food assistance programme. "An arrest warrant was issued against the minister under the charge of corruption," said Saedi. "He is the main person responsible for corruption in the ministry." A commission official later told state television that on Sunday "procedures would be taken according to the law" against Sudani. The trade ministry operates a nearly six-billion dollar annual budget that provides a monthly public food distribution programme for Iraqis. It also manages the import of grain, seeds and construction materials. A security official told AFP Sudani was on Jupiter Airlines PHW604 over the southern Iraqi city of Basra when Saturday's drama unfolded. "At 1 pm the minister took the plane going to Dubai but representatives from the commission arrived at the airport with police shortly after," said the official on condition of anonymity. "They contacted the plane and forced it to turn back. When it landed security personnel arrested the minister." Sudani, a member of Maliki's Shiite Dawa faction, had already been questioned by parliament over claims relating to imports for the food rationing programme. Maliki vowed to root out graft in the government, after Sudani, who was accused of importing expired commodities, mainly sugar; procuring illegal contracts and failing to fight corruption in his ministry, quit. "We will institute reforms ... and we will search for the truth," Maliki told reporters on Wednesday after talks with senior trade ministry officials. "We will not stand with arms folded in the face of corruption. We will pursue those who are corrupt and bring them before the courts," Maliki said, while placing the ministry under his authority. Maliki stressed on Wednesday he was immediately instituting measures to fight graft in Iraq. "We will recruit new executives to replace those who are not qualified and we urge those in charge of purchases to sign contracts with large global companies directly rather than through intermediaries," he said. The Commission on Public Integrity, tasked with fighting corruption in Iraq, announced on Wednesday that 997 officials are being investigated for alleged graft, including 53 people ranked as directors general or higher. It said 120 Iraqis were arrested for corruption in April and May. Watchdog group Transparency International ranked Iraq in 2008 as the world's third-most corrupt country behind Somalia and Myanmar. Iraq's food rationing system was established in 1995 as part of the United Nations oil-for-food programme following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990. The public distribution programme has been plagued by mismanagement and corruption since the 2003 US-led invasion. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Sign in to recommend this article » 0 users recommend Related Articles: World Pakistan claims to win Swat capital from TalibanAFP - Sunday, May 31 Italy Berlusconi blocks publication of party photosReuters - Sunday, May 31 Former Iraq trade minister arrestedAFP - Sunday, May 31 Berlusconi trying to ban villa photosAFP - Sunday, May 31 Tsvangirai says MDC faces limitations in new governmentReuters - Sunday, May 31 Enlarge Photo Iraq's former trade minister Abdel Falah al-Sudani, seen here in April 2009, was arrested on Saturday after his plane was dramatically ordered back to Bagdhad as he tried to flee the country in the wake of a graft scandal. Most Popular – World Viewed Vitamin D boosts brain power in middle-aged men Music icon Spector gets 19 years for murder Ancient eruption 'killed off world's sea life' US lab debuts super laser Talent judge defends singing sensation Boyle View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Sunday, 31 May 2009
Retired U.S. general denies seen photos in Iraq flap
Berlusconi trying to ban villa photos
G8 vows legal cooperation to tackle Somali piracy | International |
Israel on edge as US presses to halt settlements
Gas blast at Chinese coal mine kills at least 30 | International |
Twenty-five killed in China mine blast
Pakistan say Swat's main town under control
Obama calls for swift confirmation of Sotomayor
US warns NKorea amid reports of rocket launch preparations
Amnesty calls for probe of Sri Lanka civilian deaths
US will not accept nuclear-armed NKorea: Gates
High-roller has bad feng shui in US casino: report
Hardline Kashmir separatist denounces Taliban
Hamburg, the city where the Beatles 'grew up'
Murder Convicts Escape Arkansas Prison Dressed As Guards
Firefighter Given Probation After Admitting Stealing Severed Foot
Zactima, Alimta, Tarceva Cancer Pills Work To Slow Tumor Progression
FBI Investigating Allegations Of Sexual Misconduct At Massachusetts Police Academy
GOP Slams Democrat's Climate Change Bill
Mysterious Death Of American Tourist In Thailand Vexes Family And Investigators
Buffalo Soldier Buried At Arlington 85 Years After Death
Defense Secretary Gates: US Will Not Accept North Korea As Nuclear State
U.S. Congressman Checks Into Betty Ford
Classified Ad Seen As Assassination Threat Against Obama, Secret Service Investigating
Ex-Iraq trade minister arrested in mid-flight drama
Europe's desperate bid to bring out voters
New US command to focus on cyber battlefield
Pakistan troops say kill 40 Taliban near Afghan border | International |
Jewels worth six mln euros stolen from Paris store: police
Progress in lung cancer fight at specialist summit
Myanmar says Suu Kyi trial an internal affair | International |
Study links lung cancer to menopause hormones
Iran defuses homemade bomb on plane: report | International |
Jewels worth six million euros stolen from Paris store: police
South Korean police break up anti-government rally | International |
Opel rescue raises hopes, but Merkel warns of challenges
WITNESS: A night with China's secret police in 1989 | International |
Chinese rights lawyers face limbo over registration | International |
Abbas's forces kill Hamas militant in raid | International |
Rapper Jay-Z close to a deal with Sony
Climate change: 'Bali Road Map' seeks compass
Obama: It's necessary to reduce dependence on oil
Game Review: `inFamous' an electrifying experience
US delegation mixed on China climate change pact
Anger, disappointment sour EU parliament vote
Slowdown, shortages in focus at Computex | Technology |
Nintendo to launch new version of Wii Fit: report | Technology |
E3 seen returning to glitz | Technology |
Death toll in China coal mine blast rises to 30
Fiji bans 'inciteful' Christian conference
N.Korea threat hangs over S.Korea, ASEAN summit
Malaysian orangutan hospital sparks controversy
Aussie star Philippoussis falls on tough times
South Korean police break up anti-government rally
US urges rejection of Guantanamo Uighurs case
Dalai Lama defends Denmark visit after China criticism
S.Korea's Ssangyong Motor blocks strikers from plant
Retail giant Wal-Mart opens in India
Clooney, Hanks urge "yes" vote on actors' contract
Mykelti Williamson to join cast of '24'
"All in the Family" scribe Mickey Ross dies
Susan Boyle beaten in talent show final | Entertainment |
Nia Vardalos back in spotlight
Susan Boyle's dream ends as she loses talent show
Ship sinks off Indonesia's coast, at least 9 dead
Susan Boyle beaten in talent show final
Zoo To Give Men Mauled By Tiger $900,000
Giant underwater volcano found off Indonesia
Ship sinks off Indonesia's coast, at least 7 dead
Clooney, Hanks urge "yes" vote on actors' contract
God save the brand? Punk musicians power U.K. ads
Mykelti Williamson to join cast of '24'
"Idol" castoff Michael Johns to release album
Iran defuses homemade bomb on plane
Breakaway South Ossetia votes for parliament
Pakistan battles Taliban; Swat offensive near end | International |
Nintendo to launch new version of Wii Fit: report
Iranian officials defuse bomb in plane toilet
Rebel S. Ossetia votes in post-war test for ruler | International |
GM bondholders 'approve debt restructuring deal'
Nearly half Israeli outpost land is Palestinian
Microsoft reverses Windows 7 Starter limit
Aung San Suu Kyi 'covered up' truth: Myanmar junta
Six dead in Palestinian shoot-out
Germany rescues Opel, for now
Obama to create White House cybersecurity post
Asians talk of peace, haggle over arms | International |
55 whales die after mass beaching in South Africa | International |
Obama speech to Muslims key to new U.S. strategy | International |
Tensions emerge at first Kuwait parliament session | International |
Former Israeli president Katzir dies | International |
Dell aspires to be top Asia PC brand by 2012
Xbox 360 to show Sky live and on-demand programming
Verizon to sell Palm Pre, new BlackBerry phones
Sony Ericsson unveils "gesture gaming" phone
S.Lanka seeks help in dismantling Tigers' network
Nokia opens App Store rival, response slow
Israel 'will not bow' to US settlement freeze call
Pakistan says Swat offensive "near end"
Asustek aims to be No.3 laptop vendor in 2011
Vietnam records first swine flu case: ministry
Troops hunt Taliban as Pakistan says victory near
Sony to halve suppliers
Severe Weather, Possible Tornadoes Reported Around Indianapolis
Myanmar's Suu Kyi trades barbs with junta
Attacks strain Australia-India relations
Pakistan troops say kill 40 Taliban near Afghan border
Malaysian Sikh family in new 'bodysnatching' case
Two charged over plot to murder Hong Kong democrat
China faces dark memory of Tiananmen
SKorean carmaker Ssangyong closes strike-hit plant
India economy headed higher: analysts
Struggling GM thrives in China
Japanese take a broom to the Eiffel Tower
Diversity gobsmacked by UK TV talent show win | Entertainment |
Bordeaux bets on top quality but cheap 2008 drop
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01