Iraq judiciary seizes over $14m in anti-graft campaign

BAGHDAD: Iraq’s judiciary said on Monday it seized over $14 million from an oil official who was arrested a day earlier, along with others, as part of a government-led anti-corruption campaign.
Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council said “initial investigations” into deputy oil minister for distribution affairs Ali Al-Bahadli “resulted in the seizure of $11 million and four billion Iraqi dinars,” equivalent to over $3 million.
Several properties have been seized and the investigation continues, the council added.
The seizure marks the initial result of Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi’s anti-corruption campaign, which began early Sunday when Iraqi security forces raided Baghdad’s Green Zone and other neighborhoods, detaining officials.
Iraq’s news agency INA quoted senior officials Sunday as saying that 47 suspects had been arrested, including members of parliament, as well as Al-Bahadli.
But government spokesman Haidar Al-Aboudi said Monday that only 21 officials were arrested.
Like all his predecessors, Al-Zaidi has vowed to fight corruption and mismanagement that have plagued Iraq for decades.
Corruption is especially rampant across the country’s public institutions, but convictions typically target mid-level officials or minor players and rarely those at the top of the power hierarchy.
Earlier this month, authorities seized more than $85 million in a graft case against oil ministry official Adnan Al-Jumaili, who was arrested last month.
According to INA, the new suspects were arrested Sunday based on confessions made by Al-Jumaili.
Al-Zaidi, who only recently took office with the blessing of the United States, is visiting Washington later this month.
He hopes to attract more US investment to Iraq, which urgently needs to revive its economy, especially after significant revenue losses caused by the halt in oil exports during the Middle East war.