The Wire

The Iraq health ministry’s second highest official has been arrested, accused of ordering hits against political opponents and funneling millions of dollars to rogue Shi’ite militias. While three former Iraqi diplomats and their families, who where stationed in Canberra, are now applying for protection visas after their postings were terminated. The men lost their diplomatic right to reside in Australia in December, when the Iraqi Defence Attache was closed down by orders from Baghdad. Senator Gary Humphries tells of the approach made on of the diplomats to him, while a refugee advocate agrees that Iraq is a dangerous place to return to.