After Hamid Al-Yasiri, commander of the "Supporters of the Religious Authority" Brigade, called for protests "against local corruption" and demanded an end to the presence of the local government and the provincial council, independent MP Bashar Khashan responded, stating that he would not stand in the way of those protesting against corruption. He expressed his willingness to provide support and legal advice "to anyone who has evidence of the existence of economic offices."
Khashan stated in a statement, “Mr. Hamid Al-Yasiri claimed that economic offices were opened with the approval of the Al-Samawah projects and demanded their closure, then called for protests against corruption without specifying their objectives. I support his right and everyone's right to protest, but protests cannot be initiated by an individual's call without clarifying reasons or goals, leading to a dead-end (calling for the appointment of a military governor).”
He added, “Perhaps Hamid Al-Yasiri is unaware that the province's budget mainly went to the Rehana Company, whose director has been referred to the Criminal Court for a confirmed forgery crime, and the former governor signed its contracts just hours before taking the constitutional oath to ensure they would not be canceled. He also referred other contracts earlier after falsifying tender announcements.”
Khashan continued, “Regardless of what he overlooked regarding the corruption of the former governor, Ahmad Manfi and the Rehana Company, which he may not have known about, I ask Mr. Hamid Al-Yasiri to reveal to us and the protesters what he has regarding the economic offices opened in Al-Samawah, so that we can stand with him and help as much as we can. My motto remains: give me a document proving someone’s corruption, and I will give you a complaint that ends in their conviction [a conviction is a decision made by the judge].”
Khashan pointed out that "the right to protest is guaranteed by the constitution, and protesting against corruption, in general, does not fall outside this right, but it is ineffective if it is not transparent and does not reveal the specific facts that were among its causes. It also should specify the means that lead to achieving its goals and explain them to the protesters and all people to seek their support, even if they do not participate in it."
He indicated that "in any case, we will not stand against anyone protesting against corruption, and we are ready to provide support and legal advice to anyone who has evidence of the existence of economic offices. We are ready to file complaints on their behalf if they provide us with proof of any of their actions."
A group of citizens from Wasit province announced their support for the call by commander Hamid Al-Yasiri to protest "against local corruption" and demand an end to the local government and provincial council's presence within a deadline that ends next Wednesday.
