[JURIST] A Iraqi government committee Monday lodged an official request to strip former defense minister Hazem Shaalan [Wikipedia backgrounder] of immunity so that he can face charges of corruption and working for Saddam Hussein's intelligence service. The request was made by the Supreme National Commission for de-Baathification, set up to oust members of Saddam Hussein's Baath Party [Wikipedia backgrounder] from power. Shaalan briefly held the Defense portfolio in January 2004 and is now said to be living in Jordan. Commission executive director Ali al-Lami said that if immunity is taken away, Shaalan will be issued an arrest warrant and handed over to Iraqi authorities. Also pressing the case against Shaalan is Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Chalabi, who has led recent anti-Baathification drives extending even into the ranks of the Iraqi Special Tribunal [JURIST report] set up to try Hussein and his lieutenants. AP has more.
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