Latest news with #Umairi
Rudaw Net
2 days ago
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Iraq president appoints new Federal Supreme Court chief amid judicial turmoil
Also in Iraq Turkmen Front supporters block Erbil-Kirkuk highway over Kurdish appointment Kurdish, Iraqi forces kill 'three terrorist' in Kirkuk Erbil, Baghdad edge toward oil export deal despite oil volume dispute: Sources Baghdad hotel venue for Arab Summit hit by fire A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid on Monday formally appointed Judge Munther Ibrahim Hussein as the new head of Iraq's highest judicial authority, the Federal Supreme Court. The appointment comes following the retirement of former Chief Justice Jassim al-Umairi, whose resignation was approved by Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council a day earlier. Citing a source within the presidency, the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported that President Rashid 'issued a presidential decree' appointing Judge Hussein to the top judicial post. Judge Hussein previously served as deputy head of the Federal Court of Cassation and was also a reserve member of the Federal Supreme Court. His elevation comes amid a critical transitional period for Iraq's judiciary. Former Chief Justice 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.' Importantly, the resignations occurred ahead of a highly anticipated legal session concerning the Kurdistan Region. Since early June, public servants in the Region have been pressing the court to issue an injunction that would compel the federal government to resume salary disbursements, which have been frozen since late May. Tensions between Erbil and Baghdad escalated when the federal finance ministry halted all budget transfers to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), including the salaries of over 1.2 million public employees. The ministry claimed the move was due to the KRG exceeding its 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 approval of Judge Hussein's appointment may be seen as an effort to stabilize the Federal Supreme Court amid ongoing legal and constitutional disputes, including the urgent matter of public servant salaries in the Kurdistan Region.
Rudaw Net
3 days ago
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council approves top judge's retirement
Also in Iraq KRG delegation arrives in Baghdad amid efforts to resolve financial disputes Iraq's Victory Coalition to skip election Iraq's marshlands are drying up Sistani rep warns Iraqis to remain vigilant despite Iran-Israel truce A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council on Sunday approved the retirement of Federal Supreme Court President Jassim al-Umairi and appointed another judge as his replacement. Umairi recently requested his retirement following the resignations of six out of nine permanent court members, along with three reserve members. The Supreme Judicial Council said in a statement that it convened on Sunday and approved Umairi's retirement, citing 'health reasons.' Munther Ibrahim Hussein, Deputy Head of the Federal Court of Cassation and a reserve member of the federal court, was appointed as Umairi's replacement. The retirement and replacement require President Abdul Latif Rashid's approval. Umairi was criticised by court members. 'The behavior of the court president is unacceptable to us, and we are tired of dealing with his working manners,' one of the members of the federal court told Rudaw after submitting his resignation. The resignations came ahead of a planned session at the request of public servants in the Kurdistan Region, seeking an injunction to compel the federal government to resume salary payments. However, the resignations have cast the session into uncertainty. Tensions between Erbil and Baghdad intensified in late May when the federal finance ministry halted all budget transfers to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), including the salaries of more than 1.2 million public sector employees. The ministry stated that the decision was due to the Region exceeding its 12.67 percent share of the 2025 federal budget. The move has drawn widespread condemnation from Kurdish parties, who argue the suspension is politically driven and unconstitutional.
