IRAQI NATIONAL CONGRESS STATEMENT CHALABI DENOUNCES POLITICAL MANIPULATION OF IRAQI JUSTICE SYSTEM
BAGHDAD (8 August 2004): Dr Ahmad Chalabi today denounced the manipulation of the Iraqi justice system for political purposes and called the charges made against him false and outrageous. Following is the text of Dr Chalabi's statement: "The charges that I have been involved in counterfeiting Iraqi currency are false and outrageous. I can easily prove that these charges are untrue and I intend to defend myself and clear my name. In my position as chairman of the Finance Committee of the Iraqi Governing Council I had the responsibility to oversee the Central Bank of Iraq. The Finance Committee had collected samples of counterfeit Iraqi currency as part of this oversight role. I held several meetings with the Governor and Deputy Governor of the Central Bank on this issue. It is these samples that Iraqi police found when they illegally raided our offices last May. The idea that I was involved in counterfeiting is ridiculous and the charges are being made for political purposes." "The person making these charges, Zuhair Maliki, is not a bona fide Iraqi judge but rather an unqualified person who was put in his position by the American occupation authorities. He has consistently attempted to manipulate the justice system for political purposes. He has pursued a political vendetta against the Iraqi National Congress and has made numerous public statements in the media attacking the INC and me personally. He must be removed and the Iraqi justice system must be placed in the hands of independent and qualified jurists." Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
