MPs call on Maliki to release detainees

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Parliamentary figures on Tuesday called on Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to intervene to release detainees who have been arrested in a campaign conducted by Iraqi security forces throughout Iraq. “Security forces have not explained the reasons, circumstances, and information that caused the arrests,” Dhafir al-Ani, the head of the Iraqi Accord Front (IAF) bloc, said in a press conference at the headquarters of the Parliament in Baghdad, attended by Iraqi News. He said that the government has ignored the principles of political partnership and administrative rules. For his part, lawmaker Osama al-Nujaifi said that the campaign has political and electoral dimensions, while legislator Ahmed al-Alwani threatened to summon al-Maliki for questioning during the press conference. MH (P) / SS 1