BAGHDAD, IRAQ – Iraq joined the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units, the Supreme Judicial Council announced.
“The efforts made by the competent courts and the Office of Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing resulted in Iraq winning the membership of the Egmont group,” said a statement by the Judicial Council as received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA).
The membership, “concerns the exchange of information between the financial investigation units for combating money laundering and financing terrorism.”
The statement said that member states voted during the general meeting in UAE on Wednesday  on Iraq’s accession, in the presence of the Deputy President of the Baghdad, Karkh Court of Appeal, Judge Dia Jaafar, and the Director General of the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Office, Nizar Nassir Hussein.
The approval came after the request by Iraq earlier.
The legislative and operational structure in which the Supreme Judicial Council operates, the Office of Combating Laundering and Financing of Terrorism, and other concerned authorities, was studied, as a field visit was conducted.
“With the accession of the Iraq, the number of member states has reached 170,” the statement said. Â
Egmont Group provides support to member states by enhancing secure communication between financial investigation units, and securing communication via the application of modern technology.
This helps in exchanging information with all 170 member states, which helps in exposing crimes and recovering funds and apprehending criminals.