Baghdad, June 30, (dpa/GNA) – Iraq’s new Prime Minister, Ali al-Zaidi, has vowed to press ahead with an anti-corruption crackdown after several senior officials and lawmakers were arrested in weekend raids in Baghdad’s government district.
Anyone in possession of public funds must return them to the state, al-Zaidi was quoted as saying by the INA news agency on Monday. “The people’s money must be returned to its rightful owners,” he added. He stressed that corrupt officials in his government enjoy “no immunity whatsoever,” hinting at further arrests, and said the recent operations were “only the first phase.”
According to official figures, 47 people were detained in the early hours of Sunday, following a confession by former deputy oil minister Adnan al-Jumaili.
Authorities said investigators have so far seized cash equivalent to around $85 million, as well as dozens of properties, vehicles, gold, weapons and ammunition. Some observers describe it as the largest anti-corruption case in Iraq, since the fall of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in 2003.
According to the non-governmental organization Transparency International, Iraq continues to face widespread corruption. In its latest Corruption Perceptions Index, the country ranked 136th out of 182, reflecting persistent challenges in detecting and prosecuting graft.
The oil sector is particularly affected, with experts describing a long-standing system of entrenched corruption linked to the political elite.
Alongside curtailing corruption, some observers note that this could also be an attempt by al-Zaidi, who took office about six weeks ago, to crack down on political opponents early in his term of office. Al-Zaidi has made the fight against corruption and the embezzlement of public funds a top priority.
The Green Zone, where the raids occurred, is the de facto centre of power in Baghdad. Military operations there are extremely rare, but lately, there have been repeated protests and violent clashes in the surrounding area. Iraq is also a battleground in the conflict between the United States and Iran, which exerts considerable influence in the country.
GNA