Aquatics Integrity Unit provisionally suspends Iraq swimming chief Kbian

The Aquatics Integrity Unit (AQIU) announced on 12 October 2026, that it had provisionally suspended Iraq Aquatics president Khalid Abdulwahid Kbian under Article 21 of World Aquatics' integrity code. The international measure followed his conviction for intentionally damaging public funds and his removal from domestic sporting posts.

During the suspension, Kbian cannot hold a position at Iraq Aquatics, Asia Aquatics, World Aquatics or any other recognized body. He is also barred from participating in or attending aquatic activities, events, meetings or competitions in any capacity, the unit said.

World Aquatics appointed executive member Ayad Mushir Jassim to handle Iraqi swimming’s day-to-day operations during the suspension, SwimSwam said.

Conviction and domestic removal

In June, Iraq’s Karkh Criminal Court convicted Kbian and imposed a 1-year prison sentence, suspended for 3 years. The ruling was upheld on appeal in July. In August, the Iraqi National Olympic Committee ordered his removal from his sporting posts, leaving him without administrative, financial or representative authority for the federation. Any correspondence or decision he issued carried no legal weight.

The international suspension is a separate provisional measure under Article 21 of the World Aquatics Integrity Code. The code allows such measures while an investigation and decision are pending if the chief ethics and compliance officer considers a person’s safety or well-being, or public confidence in the integrity of aquatic sport, to be at risk.

Who runs the federation

Jassim is a member of World Aquatics' executive committee. A letter from its executive director dated October 20 put him in charge of the federation and its official correspondence for the duration of Kbian’s suspension, Shafaq News said. The letter urged him to brief the federation’s board quickly and meet competition registration deadlines.

In a November 5 letter, the Iraqi Olympic committee asked Iraq’s Interior Ministry to instruct security forces to bar Kbian from Al-Shaab Olympic swimming pool and the federation headquarters inside it, and not to deal with him or accept his instructions during the suspension. The committee also asked that Jassim alone be recognized for administrative and organizational dealings concerning the federation and pool.

In the letter, acting secretary-general Ehab Talib Jassim alleged that Kbian had continued visiting the pool and interfering in federation management. He warned that failure to comply with the international decision could expose the federation to international sanctions.

Proceedings and provisional measures

In its 12 October 2026 announcement of Kbian’s provisional suspension under Article 21, AQIU said proceedings were ongoing. Article 21 provides no appeal against a provisional measure, but time served in compliance with a provisional suspension is credited against any suspension imposed later.