DUBAI, UAE - The Federal Commission of Integrity of Iraq postponed a press conference scheduled for Thursday to address leaked audio recordings allegedly implicating the commission’s head, Haider Hanoun, in a bribery scandal, the commission said in a statement, attributing the decision to ongoing judicial procedures.
 
The commission said they “respect” the judiciary and its rulings, hailing their works for taking significant legal actions against corrupt officials.
 
"Based on the principle of separation of powers, as enshrined in Iraq’s 2005 Constitution, the commission’s head, Judge Haider Hanoun, expresses gratitude to the judiciary and public prosecution for initiating an investigation into the (fabricated and forged) audio recordings falsely attributed to him," the commission said.
 
In the leaked audio, Hanoun is allegedly heard admitting to sending 1.65 billion Iraqi dinars ($1.13 million) to an individual named Nawras and a black Cadillac vehicle to his house in Baghdad. 

He is also allegedly heard saying he could not deal with certain cases at courts in Baghdad due to his poor relations with some judges.
  
“Not all judges have good relationships with me since my time as a judge in Maysan," Hanoun is rumored heard as saying in the leaked audio recording.
 
The commission said it postponed the press conference "to ensure that judicial procedures are not influenced," emphasizing its ongoing commitment to justice and accountability.
 
According to the integrity commission, their chief, Hanoun, will respect any court verdicts that might be issued against him once the court proceedings have been concluded.
 
On Wednesday, the Commission of Integrity denied the authenticity of the leaked audio recordings circulating on social media, claiming they were “fabricated”. 
 
The Supreme Judicial Council announced an investigation into Hanoun shortly after the recordings surfaced, and they are yet to make a final decision on the matter at hand.