BAGHDAD, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi authorities said on Friday that nine high-ranking officials have been referred to the judiciary for trial over charges of corruption, as part of the government's reforms after a wave of anti-government protests over unemployment, corruption and lack of public services.
The Iraqi Supreme Anti-Corruption Council referred some important corruption cases of "nine high-ranking officials to the judiciary after the completion of the legal procedures supported by evidence," the council said in a statement.
The high-ranking officials include former ministers and former provincial governors, according to the statement.
It confirmed that more cases of corruption "will be referred successively to the judiciary."
In his address to the Iraqi people on Wednesday, Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said he will issue a list to refer a number of senior officials to the courts for charges of corruption.
Mahdi's speech came after the eruption of a wave of protests early in the month in the capital Baghdad and other provinces in central and southern Iraq.
The demonstrations claimed the lives of over 100 people, including eight security members, and wounded 6,107 others, among whom were 1,241 security members.
Mahdi said he had ordered transparent investigations to hold accountable those who did not abide by the laws and rules of engagement at all ranks.
He had declared three days of national mourning starting Thursday for the victims of the protests.
