Baghdad, Iraq – Iraqi authorities launched a major anti-corruption security campaign that resulted in the arrest of 47 members of parliament and government officials, in one of the largest operations targeting political and administrative figures.
These arrests were based on confessions made by former Deputy Oil Minister Adnan al-Jumaili, who was arrested last month.
Widespread arrests and security raids
The official Iraq News Agency reported that the campaign targeted members of parliament whose immunity had been lifted, along with government officials whose names surfaced in the investigations.
Meanwhile, security forces closed all entrances to Baghdad’s Green Zone and conducted raids
within the compound. This compound houses government institutions and foreign embassies.
Iraqi sources revealed that the pursuit of those accused of corruption continues in Baghdad and several other provinces.
This comes as part of a broader campaign targeting widespread corruption cases.
Officials and parliamentarians among those detained
The list of detainees included several current and former members of the Iraqi parliament,
as well as government officials, among them the head of the Azm Alliance, Muthanna al-Samarrai,
a number of other members of parliament, and the Deputy Minister of Oil
for Distribution Affairs, Ali Ma’araj, in addition to other political figures.
A security report also indicated the arrest of 13 members of parliament.
The report stated that some of them belong to the political bloc of former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani.
However, details of the charges against each of the detainees have not yet been released.
Expected political repercussions
A government source confirmed that Iraq Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zubaidi is determined
to pursue those involved in corruption and the misappropriation of public funds.
The source emphasized that there will be no leniency for any official found to be involved.
Observers believe this campaign could have significant repercussions on the Iraqi political landscape,
given the entanglement of corruption cases with political balances and conflicts between various factions.
Meanwhile, political circles are awaiting the results of the investigations and legal proceedings against those detained.
