Political corruption

Iraqis vote on Monday to choose their provincial councils, the first such election in a decade and one which is expected to strengthen powerful Shiite pro-Iran groups.

The vote will take place with disillusionment widespread among the country's 43 million inhabitants, with endemic corruption eating away at the oil-rich nation.

SKOPJE, Nov 30 (Tanjug) - The FMs of Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania signed on Thursday in Skopje a joint statement on the fight against corruption.

Cyprus' Independent Anti-Corruption Authority has initiated an investigation based on claims made in the book "Mafia State" by journalist Makarios Drousiotis, which exposes allegations of corruption against former president Nicos Anastasiades.

In a compelling statement at the forum "Anti-corruption, democratic stability, and economic security" in Sofia, European Chief Prosecutor Laura Kovesi emphasized the critical role of combating financial abuse in ensuring security.

The declarations of 1,034 politicians, in which they provide details about the origin of their wealth and assets, were made available on the Parliament's website on Monday.

Parliament's website will be publishing the declarations of 1,034 politicians in which they detail the provenance of their wealth and assets on Monday instead of Sunday, as originally planned. 

The date of the declarations' publication was moved following reactions from newspapers, many of which do not publish on Mondays. 

Just over the past two months, the police's Internal Affairs Division has resolved seven cases involving corruption among its members, promping the Citizen Protection Ministry to declare it will show "zero tolerance" to those who "undermine the citizens' trust" in the police.

A police officer who was arrested on Sunday on the island of Crete and accused of extortion, bribery of an employee and breach of duty was on Tuesday placed on administrative leave by decision of the Greek Police Headquarters.

An officer of the Hellenic Police (ELAS) has been charged with bribery, abuse of power and breach of duty by the ELAS Internal Affairs unit. 

A private businessman was also arrested and charged with extortion and violation of drug legislation. 

According to an ELAS announcement on Tuesday, the officer demanded bribes not to carry out inspections on certain businesses. 

Arben Ahmetaj, a long-time member of Albania's parliament and former Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister is facing a request from prosecutors for his arrest on charges of corruption and money laundering.

Ahmetaj, 54, holds parliamentary immunity, so the Special Structure Against Corruption and Organised Crime, SPAK, has asked parliament for permission to arrest him.