Iraq Reopens Russian Weapons Deal Probe

Iraq's Central Criminal Court has recommenced a probe into officials suspected of corruption in a $4.2 billion deal to purchase Russian weapons, according to a senior Iraqi official.

"The investigation will go ahead. The witnesses and suspects will give evidence, and Defense Ministry experts will evaluate the possible damage," the head of the Iraqi Parliament's Integrity Committee, Bahaa al-Araji said. “The deal remains in force, but is not being implemented yet.”

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki signed an arms package purchase agreement with Russia worth $4.2 billion during a visit to Moscow in October 2012, according to Ria Novosti.

Under the deal, Moscow was to supply 30 Mil Mi-28NE night/all-weather capable attack helicopters, and 50 Pantsyr-S1 gun-missile short-range air defense systems. 

The deal was suspended a few weeks later over of suspicions of corruption. The Iraqi Parliament initiated an investigation into several officials suspected of taking kickbacks, the report added.

However, in March, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said Iraq and Russia had initialed a revised deal and deliveries under the contract would start by the summer.