Iraq electoral officials released on bail

The head of Iraq's electoral commission, Faraj Al Haidari, said he and another of the body's members, who had been detained on suspicion of corruption, were freed on bail on Sunday.

"Now, I am outside of the (police) station," Haidari told AFP by telephone, adding that Karim Al Tamimi, another member of the Independent High Electoral Commission, had also been released.

"The judge decided to free us" on bail of 15 million Iraqi dinars (about $12,500) each, Haidari said.

Asked if the court case was continuing, Haidari said "I think so, it depends on the judge.

"I want to thank all the people who support me," he added. "I feel that the majority of Iraq's people support me."

Haidari's arrest sparked condemnation from a number of leading politicians, who accused Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki of orchestrating a slide away from the electoral process and towards dictatorship.
 

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