Top U.S. and International Attorneys Urge Accountability in Iraq’s Judicial System
In a significant move showcasing the intersection of international law and human rights advocacy, prominent attorneys from Amsterdam & Partners LLP and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP have jointly issued an open letter. This letter, directed at U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid, calls for immediate actions regarding Chief Justice Faiq Zaidan of Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council. The focus of this urgent plea is on the alarming evidence of judicial corruption and systemic retaliation against individuals who dare to challenge the status quo. The letter emphasizes a troubling pattern where the justice system is exploited to protect criminals while persecuting reformers.
One such victim of this corrupt judicial system is Sara Hameed Saleem, a U.S. citizen of Kurdish descent who has had a harrowing experience that illuminates the dark realities of Iraq’s legal landscape. In 2014, after declining to engage in a $100 million fraudulent operation linked to the Trade Bank of Iraq, Ms. Saleem was kidnapped and endured 43 days of torture at the hands of militia groups associated with the state. The individuals responsible for this heinous act, known as the "Hanna Brothers," were eventually convicted in July 2023, yet their freedom was short-lived due to the intervention of Chief Justice Zaidan. Reports indicate that Zaidan accepted bribes to ensure their release on minimal bail, raising serious ethical questions about his role in the judiciary.
The forthcoming retrial, scheduled for April 30, 2025, has generated considerable anxiety among legal experts and advocates. There are credible concerns that it could result in the complete acquittal of the perpetrators, putting Ms. Saleem and other whistleblowers in jeopardy. Moreover, Ms. Saleem is now facing a retaliatory civil suit in Erbil, which adds a layer of complexity and distress to an already tumultuous situation. Under the leadership of Zaidan, along with the Hanna Brothers and influential figures at the Trade Bank, a triad of corruption has emerged that not only engages in criminal activities but also manipulates the judicial system to shield itself from accountability while targeting those who expose their misdeeds.
Robert Amsterdam, the founding partner of Amsterdam & Partners LLP, stated, "The future of Iraq cannot exist in the absence of the rule of law." Akiva Shapiro, a partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, echoed this sentiment by denouncing the injustice faced by U.S. citizen Saleem and calling for strong responses from the U.S. government to protect her rights and restore the integrity of the judiciary.
The open letter makes a series of pressing demands, including:
In an emotional plea, Sara Hameed Saleem expressed her fears and determination, stating, "I provided a detailed account of my suffering at the hands of Faiq Zaidan, and I am now being falsely accused for my refusal to participate in a crime. This is beyond my personal plight—it's about amplifying the voices silenced by corruption and terror cloaked as law. I implore both Presidents Trump and Rashid to act decisively before more lives are shattered by this tyranny."
The letter has been formally dispatched not only to senior officials within the U.S. government but also to the United Nations, pertinent diplomatic missions, and key political figures in Iraq and Kurdistan. With the retrial on the horizon, legal experts assert that its outcome will significantly impact Iraq's judicial credibility and the fight against corruption.
One such victim of this corrupt judicial system is Sara Hameed Saleem, a U.S. citizen of Kurdish descent who has had a harrowing experience that illuminates the dark realities of Iraq’s legal landscape. In 2014, after declining to engage in a $100 million fraudulent operation linked to the Trade Bank of Iraq, Ms. Saleem was kidnapped and endured 43 days of torture at the hands of militia groups associated with the state. The individuals responsible for this heinous act, known as the "Hanna Brothers," were eventually convicted in July 2023, yet their freedom was short-lived due to the intervention of Chief Justice Zaidan. Reports indicate that Zaidan accepted bribes to ensure their release on minimal bail, raising serious ethical questions about his role in the judiciary.
The forthcoming retrial, scheduled for April 30, 2025, has generated considerable anxiety among legal experts and advocates. There are credible concerns that it could result in the complete acquittal of the perpetrators, putting Ms. Saleem and other whistleblowers in jeopardy. Moreover, Ms. Saleem is now facing a retaliatory civil suit in Erbil, which adds a layer of complexity and distress to an already tumultuous situation. Under the leadership of Zaidan, along with the Hanna Brothers and influential figures at the Trade Bank, a triad of corruption has emerged that not only engages in criminal activities but also manipulates the judicial system to shield itself from accountability while targeting those who expose their misdeeds.
Robert Amsterdam, the founding partner of Amsterdam & Partners LLP, stated, "The future of Iraq cannot exist in the absence of the rule of law." Akiva Shapiro, a partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, echoed this sentiment by denouncing the injustice faced by U.S. citizen Saleem and calling for strong responses from the U.S. government to protect her rights and restore the integrity of the judiciary.
The open letter makes a series of pressing demands, including:
- - A thorough investigation by U.S. and Iraqi authorities into Chief Justice Zaidan's conduct.
- - A break from engagement by U.S. institutions with Zaidan and the compromised Supreme Judicial Council.
- - Diplomatic initiatives aimed at safeguarding Ms. Saleem and reinstating judicial integrity.
In an emotional plea, Sara Hameed Saleem expressed her fears and determination, stating, "I provided a detailed account of my suffering at the hands of Faiq Zaidan, and I am now being falsely accused for my refusal to participate in a crime. This is beyond my personal plight—it's about amplifying the voices silenced by corruption and terror cloaked as law. I implore both Presidents Trump and Rashid to act decisively before more lives are shattered by this tyranny."
The letter has been formally dispatched not only to senior officials within the U.S. government but also to the United Nations, pertinent diplomatic missions, and key political figures in Iraq and Kurdistan. With the retrial on the horizon, legal experts assert that its outcome will significantly impact Iraq's judicial credibility and the fight against corruption.
Topics Policy & Public Interest）
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