125+ Iraqi figures investigated in cross-border corruption crackdown

ShafaqNews- Baghdad

Iraq’sAnti-Corruption Committee is preparing a list of about 127 people suspected ofamassing wealth through illicit property purchases and overseas investmentsmade with public funds, a government source informed Shafaq News on Sunday.

Aspecialized team tracking stolen and smuggled Iraqi funds has identifiedprominent figures suspected of involvement in corruption cases, along withproperties and other assets believed to have been acquired using public moneysince 2005.

The committeeis compiling details of properties and assets held by the suspects in countriesincluding Kuwait, Turkiye, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Qatar, Jordan,Oman and Iran, as well as several African and European countries.

“Some ofthe individuals under investigation are believed to own luxury hotels, touristresorts and other high-value properties,” the source added, noting that thereview will also cover assets inside Iraq, including properties in Baghdad,Saladin and Al-Anbar provinces.

The “DawnCrackdown” (Sawlat Al-Fajr) anti-corruption campaign began on June 28 underPrime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi. Government figures recorded at least 47 detentionsduring its first 24 hours, while sources at the Federal Commission of Integrityput the total at 67 and expected the number of suspects to exceed 200.

Anothersource previously told Shafaq News that the second phase of the crackdown willfocus on corruption cases in the health, oil and electricity sectors.

Read more: Can Iraq recover billions in stolen assets abroad? ...