PNN – The Iraqi judiciary announced that the initial investigation into the country’s deputy oil minister led to the discovery of $11 million, 4 billion Iraqi dinars and a number of properties, and the investigation into the case is still ongoing.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network, citing the Baghdad Al-Youm news site, the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council announced on Monday that the initial investigation into Ali Ma’arij Sawidj Al-Bahadli, the country’s deputy oil minister for distribution of petroleum products, led to the discovery of $11 million, 4 billion Iraqi dinars and a number of properties.
According to a statement by the Iraqi judiciary, citing an investigator from the Central Anti-Corruption Court, these properties were seized during the investigation of the defendant, who is currently in custody.
The statement emphasized that the investigation into the case is still ongoing.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi said this morning that power will be exclusively in the hands of the government, Iraq will begin a new chapter, and no corrupt individual will be immune.
Al-Zaidi emphasized that the first stage of the fight against corruption has begun and the government will continue the process of recovering public property with seriousness.
He stressed that there will be no appeasement or leniency in dealing with corrupt individuals.
The Iraqi Prime Minister also announced the mission of the supervisory agencies to receive and investigate any signs of corruption or malfeasance in the functioning of the ministries.
Iraqi sources announced on Sunday night the implementation of a series of judicial rulings in corruption cases and announced: Dozens of representatives and officials have been arrested based on the confessions of an official from the Ministry of Oil.
High-ranking Iraqi sources told the Iraqi News Agency that 47 defendants, including members of parliament and Iraqi officials, were arrested on corruption charges.