ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - A senior security official in the Kata'ib Hezbollah faction has accused former Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi of leaking a controversial audio recording.

The audio in question allegedly features Khamis al-Khanjar, leader of the Sovereignty Alliance. The leaked clip that stirred controversy and condemnation among the ruling Shiites was first aired on an Iraqi television program, allegedly showing the prominent Sunni politician making sectarian remarks about the government institutions and Shiite rulers, saying the government is controlled by “militias”.

The Karkh Investigation Court on Tuesday launched a formal investigation into the leaked audio attributed to Khanjar after receiving a formal request by MPs Mohammed Jassem al-Khafaji and Amir Razzaq Ajlan, urging legal action against him.

The Sovereignty Party categorically denied the authenticity of the recording on Sunday, describing the audio leaks as “fabricated and forged.”

Abu Ali al-Askari, a senior security official in the Iran-backed Kata'ib Hezbollah, accused Halbousi, also a prominent Sunni politician and leader of the Taqadum Party, of leaking the audio.

“Anyone shocked by Khanjar’s statements in the leaked recording, which was released by Halbousi, should watch his media outlets that broadcast poison daily. They are worse than the contents of the leaked audio, and steps must be taken to stop these sectarian channels,” Askari said.

An Anbar native, Khanjar is a wealthy businessman-turned-politician. He formed the Sovereignty Alliance in early 2022 as the largest bloc of Sunni Arab parties in the Iraqi parliament.

Iraq has seen a rise in leaked audio recordings in recent years, targeting key political figures, mainly exposing corruption, as the country is set to hold elections in November.

Askari’s accusations against Halbousi come just days after the Iraqi judiciary acquitted the former speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, more than a year and a half after he was dismissed over forgery accusations, his office announced on Sunday night.

Halbousi leads the Taqadum party, which boasts three ministerial positions in the current Iraqi cabinet; with party members heading the ministries of planning, industry, and culture. It is the largest Sunni faction within the parliament.