Integrity commission board formed as law goes into effect

AMMAN — A Royal Decree was issued on Wednesday appointing the president and board members of the Jordan Integrity and Anti-Corruption Commission (JIACC) for a four-year term.

Mohammad Allaf was appointed the president of the commission, with Abdul Hadi Alawin, Iyad Qudah, Burhan Akroush and Maisoun Qaisi as board members, according to a Royal Court statement.

Meanwhile, the Integrity and Anti-Corruption Law will go into effect as of Thursday, which means that the anti-corruption commission and the ombudsman bureau laws are null. The JIACC has been established under the law.

The commission will be administratively and financially independent, managed and supervised by a president and four board members known for their integrity, neutrality and experience, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

A source in the commission said that the president and board members are appointed for a four-year term by a Royal Decree under a recommendation by the prime minister, and the term can be renewed once for the president or any of the members.

Under the law, abuse of public office, ill-gained fortunes, bribery, "wasta" (using personal connections to obtain favours or posts), economic crimes and other practices are classified as corruption.

The source said the commission will receive complaints and carry out investigation on all forms of administrative and financial corruption, in addition to embarking on legal procedures that allow JIACC to sue perpetrators and freeze their mobile and immobile assets, Petra added.

The bill also stipulates the establishment of a specialised prosecution office to look into corruption cases received by the commission’s council, and the law granted JIACC the right to create a special account at the Central Bank of Jordan to save retrieved assets from corruption cases, until they are returned to their owners.

The law also highlighted that JIACC is tasked with providing necessary protection to plaintiffs, witnesses, corruption case experts and relatives against any possible retaliation.

Another Royal Decree was issued appointing Mohammad Thweib a member of the Constitutional Court as of June 16.