Abadi directed the formation of a permanent committee to investigate corruption issues within government institutions

Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi on Wednesday set up a permanent committee to investigate financial and administrative corruption in the ministries and security institutions in the country .

The Central Investigative Commission said in a statement on August 15, 2018 that "Abadi directed the formation of a committee to carry out the task of investigating members of ministries and security services accused of corruption and blackmail against citizens."

The statement added that "this guidance in response to all complaints and abuses that are reported by citizens about irregularities and bribes and extortion."

On August 7, Abadi referred former ministers and senior officials to the investigation on suspicion of involvement in corruption over contracts to build school buildings .

Iraq ranked 169th among 180 countries on Transparency International's corruption index .

Today's decision comes amid fierce protests in the central and southern cities and towns of the Shiite majority for more than a month .

The protesters demand improved public services, such as electricity and water, job creation, as well as fighting rampant corruption in the state.

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