Latest news with #FederalSupremeCourt
Shafaq News
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Mass judicial exodus threatens Iraqi elections
Shafaq News/ Iraq is heading toward a constitutional crisis just months before parliamentary elections on November 11, 2025, as the mass resignation of Federal Supreme Court judges threatens to derail the electoral timeline, a top legal expert warned on Friday. Hazem al-Rudaini, Deputy Head of Iraq's Strategic Center for Human Rights (SCHR), cautioned that the resignations jeopardize the legal foundation of the election. 'It is constitutionally impossible to hold parliamentary elections without the Federal Supreme Court,' he said, pointing to Article 93(7) of the 2005 Constitution, which grants the Court sole authority to ratify election results. Nine judges, including six principal members, resigned Thursday in protest over political pressure, reportedly linked to the Court's 2023 ruling that annulled the 2013 Khor Abdullah maritime agreement with Kuwait. A judicial source told Shafaq News that the fallout from that decision triggered their departure. Members of the Parliamentary Legal Committee expressed alarm. MP Mohammed al-Khafaji described the resignations as 'deeply troubling,' while MP Raed al-Maliki accused political factions of hijacking the judiciary. 'The government and certain parties want to turn the Federal Court into a tool, all while claiming to protect national sovereignty,' he asserted. Al-Maliki criticized the broader 'failure' of Iraq's Shiite leadership to insulate institutions from political interference, warning that the situation sets a dangerous precedent and confirming that parliament is holding emergency consultations to safeguard judicial independence. The crisis stems from a September 2023 ruling in which the Court nullified Law No. 42 of 2013, invalidating Iraq's navigation agreement with Kuwait over the Khor Abdullah waterway. The Court ruled the law unconstitutional, claiming it lacked the two-thirds majority required under Article 61(4). In April 2025, Iraq's president and prime minister appealed the ruling, arguing the agreement covered maritime coordination—not border demarcation—and should fall under Iraq's obligations under the 1966 Vienna Convention.
Shafaq News
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq's judiciary shaken: Judges' resignation threatens elections
Shafaq News/ Iraq's judiciary is facing paralysis after the mass resignation of Federal Supreme Court judges deepened a constitutional crisis tied to the annulment of the Khor Abdullah maritime agreement with Kuwait—threatening the country's ability to certify elections and uphold legal continuity. The crisis erupted after nine judges, including all six permanent members, stepped down in protest over what insiders described as mounting political interference, casting doubt over the November 11 parliamentary elections, which cannot proceed without the court's formal ratification of results. 'The judiciary's ability to function is now in question,' a senior judicial official told Shafaq News, warning of broader repercussions across Iraq's legal and constitutional systems. Other insiders cited dissatisfaction with court administration as a contributing factor, further complicating efforts to stabilize the institution. Parliamentarian Amer Abduljabbar, head of the Al-Faw Zakho Gathering, criticized the government's role in the standoff, warning of external interference in the appeals submitted by the presidency and cabinet to reverse the court's ruling. 'It is deeply troubling that the President and Prime Minister are contesting a ruling issued by the court—not Parliament—despite their constitutional responsibilities,' Abduljabbar said, adding that 96 lawmakers have signed a petition urging the executive to withdraw its challenge. He further accused Kuwait of orchestrating diplomatic pressure through the Gulf Cooperation Council and Russia to undermine the decision. 'The timing and coordination raise serious concerns about foreign influence,' he noted. Basra-based organizations, including maritime unions and tribal leaders, issued a joint statement backing the judiciary. 'We reject any attempt to compromise Iraq's sovereignty over Khor Abdullah. The court must stand firm and fulfill its constitutional mandate,' the statement read. The Federal Supreme Court had ruled on September 4, 2023, that Law No. 42 of 2013—ratifying the Iraq-Kuwait maritime agreement—was unconstitutional for failing to secure a two-thirds parliamentary majority, as required under Article 61/4 of the Iraqi constitution. While the presidency and cabinet maintain that the agreement merely organized maritime navigation and did not alter borders, legal experts argue the ruling reinforced Iraq's jurisdiction beyond border marker 162 and reaffirmed the need for proper legislative procedures.
Shafaq News
a day ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Khor Abdullah ruling: Mass resignations reported at Iraq's top court
Shafaq News/ Six members of Iraq's Federal Supreme Court submitted their resignations on Thursday in protest over alleged government pressure related to the court's ruling on the Khor Abdullah maritime agreement with Kuwait. A source from within the court told Shafaq News Agency that the resignations were linked to political interference surrounding the case. The dispute stems from a September 2023 ruling in which the Federal Supreme Court annulled Law No. 42 of 2013, which ratified the agreement between Iraq and Kuwait on regulating navigation in Khor Abdullah. The court cited a constitutional violation, stating the law was passed without the required two-thirds majority in parliament, as outlined in Article 61(4) of the Iraqi Constitution. In April 2025, Iraq's president and prime minister each filed appeals requesting the court to reverse its decision, arguing the agreement was related to navigation, not border demarcation, and forms part of Iraq's international commitments under the 1966 Vienna Convention.
Shafaq News
2 days ago
- Business
- Shafaq News
PM Barzani files petition with Iraq's Federal Court on salary dispute
Shafaq News/ Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani has formally submitted a letter to Iraq's Federal Supreme Court concerning the ongoing public sector salary dispute. Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) spokesperson Peshawa Hawramani stated that the court is expected to set a hearing soon for the petition sent two days ago, adding that Barzani made resolving the salary crisis the top item in the KRG's weekly cabinet meeting held today. لەکۆبونەوەی ئەنجومەنی وەزیران، سەرۆک وەزیران مەسرور بارزانی ڕایگەیاند"گرنگە بە پرسی موچە دەست بە قسەکانم بکەم لەم کۆبونەوەیەدا ".بەڕێزیان ئاماژەی بەوەکرد پێش دوو ڕۆژ نامەیەکی تایبەتی بۆ دادگای فیدراڵی عێراق ناردووە لەبارەی موچەی فەرمانبەرانی هەرێمی کوردستان.بەم نزیکانە… — Peshawa Hawramani (@PHawraman) June 18, 2025 This development comes as the dispute escalated after Baghdad tied salary payments to the KRG's full transfer of oil exports to the state-owned SOMO company and stricter oversight of non-oil revenues. The KRG argues these conditions exceed prior agreements. The deadlock has delayed May salaries for hundreds of thousands of government employees. As a temporary measure, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani approved a federal loan to cover May wages pending a permanent resolution.
Toronto Sun
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Bolsonaro testifies before Brazil's Supreme Court over alleged coup plot
Published Jun 10, 2025 • 5 minute read Former president of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro, centre, leaves after an interrogation at the Federal Supreme Court building on June 10, 2025 in Brasilia, Brazil. Bolsonaro is accused of leading an attempted coup against the current President of Brazil Lula Da Silva. Photo by Arthur Menescal / Getty Images RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro appeared before the Supreme Court for the first time Tuesday and denied participation in an alleged plot to remain in power and overturn the 2022 election result as he faces charges that could bring decades behind bars. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Many Brazilians followed the trial, which was streamed online. The country was shaken by the January 2023 riot in which the Supreme Court, Congress and presidential palace were ransacked. Bolsonaro said in his testimony that the rioters were 'crazy,' not coup mongers. The far-right politician, appearing relaxed, and seven allies were questioned by a panel of judges over allegations they devised a scheme to keep Bolsonaro in office despite his loss to current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The Supreme Court panel, led by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, freed up its schedule to hear the eight defendants in the case until the end of Friday. But they managed to finish the inquiry on the second day in speedy fashion. Legal experts say the sentencing phase of the trial is expected in the second half of the year. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'There was never any talk of a coup. A coup is an abominable thing,' Bolsonaro said. 'Brazil couldn't go through an experience like that. And there was never even the possibility of a coup in my government.' The far-right politician admitted to discussing 'possibilities' with the heads of the armed forces following Lula's win, but within constitutional limits. He didn't give details. Bolsonaro's questioning lasted just over two hours. At one point, he joked with de Moraes — whose planned killing was part of the plot, the prosecutor-general has alleged — a contrast to the sharp words Bolsonaro has aimed at the court in the past. Bolsonaro could face decades in prison The defendants are standing trial on five counts: Attempting to stage a coup, involvement in an armed criminal organization, attempted violent abolition of the democratic rule of law, aggravated damage and deterioration of listed heritage. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A coup conviction carries a sentence of up to 12 years. A conviction on that and other charges could bring decades behind bars. The former president has repeatedly denied the allegations and asserted that he is the target of political persecution. When asked by de Moraes at the beginning of questioning whether the accusation was true, Bolsonaro replied, 'The accusation does not hold, your excellency.' He said that even if he had wanted to impose a 'state of siege,' the measures would have been different. 'There was no environment for it, no opportunity. We didn't have even a minimally solid base to do anything,' he said. The eight defendants are accused of making up the plan's core group. Justices are also questioning Bolsonaro's former running mate and defence minister Walter Braga Netto, former defence minister Paulo Sergio Nogueira, former ministers Anderson Torres and Augusto Heleno and ex-aide-de-camp Mauro Cid, among others. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Judges will hear from 26 other defendants at a later date. The court has already heard from dozens of witnesses in hearings that began in mid-May. Cid, who has signed a plea bargain with the federal police, told the court on Monday that Bolsonaro read and edited a document that aimed at canceling the election result. Cid also said Bolsonaro refused to interfere regarding camps that supporters set up in front of army facilities calling for a military intervention after the election loss. Former defence minister Nogueira, who was also Brazil's army commander during the Bolsonaro presidency, said in his testimony that he had encouraged the far-right leader to give a national address at the end of December 2022 to recognize his defeat and leave office. He also said the riots in Brasilia were 'a peaceful demonstration that ended in hooliganism.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Many of those followers were later part of the Jan. 8, 2023, riot. Police say their uprising — which occurred after Lula was sworn in — was an attempt to force military intervention and oust the new president. Prosecutor: Riot part of scheme to overturn results Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet alleges the riot was part of a scheme to overturn the election result. Part of that plot allegedly included a plan to kill Lula and de Moraes. The plan did not go ahead at the last minute because the accused failed to get the army's commander on board, according to Gonet. On Tuesday, Bolsonaro said he had learned about the plot, which received the sinister name of 'Green and Yellow Dagger,' when it was reported in the press. 'If it had been proposed, in my view, it would have been rejected, with immediate action taken,' he said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Braga Netto, the former Bolsonaro running mate, gave his testimony from prison. He said he never saw the document that allegedly described the plot. Bolsonaro, a former military officer who was known to express nostalgia for the country's past dictatorship, openly defied Brazil's judicial system during his 2019-22 term in office. He has been banned by Brazil's top electoral court from running in elections until 2030 over abuse of power while in office and casting unfounded doubts on the country's electronic voting system. A watershed trial Thiago Bottino, a law professor at the Getulio Vargas Foundation, a think-tank and university, called the trial historic. 'It's the first time we see people accused of an attempted coup are being subjected to a criminal trial, with the guarantees of due criminal process, being able to defend themselves but answering for these accusations,' he said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The trial is particularly significant in light of the fact that Brazil's constitution was adopted in 1988, less than four decades ago, Bottino said. Brazil is showing that it has 'the democratic maturity to be able to use due process to investigate this type of accusation and, if necessary, hold those responsible accountable,' he said. Later on Tuesday, Bolsonaro took to social media to comment about his testimony. 'I did not request to be silent. I didn't look for excuses. I answered every question with transparency and conviction,' he said. 'Today I leave the court in peace and more confident that I will be the next president to help take our country out of this mess.' Bolsonaro has already been ruled out of the 2026 presidential elections, a penalty that could be further extended for the 70-year-old leader with a conviction in the trial. — Associated Press writer Mauricio Savarese contributed to this report from Sao Paulo. Read More NHL Toronto Blue Jays Columnists Toronto Maple Leafs Columnists
