21.05 Iraq Reopens Russian Arms Deal Probe

DUBAI, May 21 (RIA Novosti) - Iraq's Central Criminal Court has resumed an investigation into officials suspected of corruption in a $4.2 billion deal to purchase Russian weapons, the head of the Iraqi Parliament's Integrity Committee, Bahaa al-Araji, said on Tuesday.

"The investigation will go ahead. The witnesses and suspects will give evidence, and Defense Ministry experts will evaluate the possible damage," he said.

�The deal remains in force, but is not being implemented yet,� he added.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki signed an arms package purchase agreement with Russia worth $4.2 billion during a visit to Moscow in October 2012.

Under the deal, Moscow was to supply 30 Mil Mi-28NE night/all-weather capable attack helicopters, and 50 Pantsyr-S1 gun-missile short-range air defense systems.