Qatar hit back at Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi who claimed that the money paid by Doha to free the hostages entered his country “without authorisation”, according to QNA.
“The money was not smuggled but was sent in an official, clear and public way to support Iraqi efforts to free the hostages,” said Foreign Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, adding that Baghdad had “full knowledge” of the deal to free the hostages.
He said that the Qatari hunters and their companions were issued with official visas and were under the protection of the Iraqi security authorities when they were kidnapped.
He affirmed that Baghdad had full knowledge of all the details of the deal, adding that Doha was in constant contact with Iraq since its citizens were abducted over a year and a half ago.
“We co-ordinated about all the details with Baghdad,” the foreign minister said adding the Iraqi officials asked Qatar more than once to support them in their efforts to free the hostages.
Responding to the Iraqi Premier’s claims he said: “Qatar wanted to support the Iraqi authorities and if they don’t need the money then it will return to Qatar through adequate Iraqi legal procedures."
He said that the money was put at the disposal of the Iraqi authorities, adding that his country did not deal with the armed outlaws.
He reiterated Qatar’s commitment not to violate the sovereignty of any country or international law or get involved in money laundering.
“The money entered Iraq officially and will also leave Iraq officially,” he said in a statement to Al-Jazeera TV channel.