Assets Seized in Former Iraqi Deputy Oil Minister's Corruption Case Top $10 Million and 31 Billion Dinars
Peregraf- Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council announced Monday that authorities have recovered additional assets and cash in an ongoing corruption investigation involving former Deputy Oil Minister for Refining Affairs Adnan Mohammed al-Jumaili and several other suspects.
According to a statement from the council, the investigating judge at the Central Criminal Court for Combating Corruption said the total value of funds seized during the investigation has now reached $10 million and 31 billion Iraqi dinars.
The judge said the assets were recovered as part of efforts to trace and reclaim financial proceeds allegedly generated through waste and irregularities in projects linked to al-Jumaili and other individuals under investigation.
Billions of Dinars Recovered
The court revealed that investigators seized approximately 20 billion Iraqi dinars hidden on a farm during operations carried out on Sunday.
Authorities also said they prevented an attempt to smuggle an additional 5 billion Iraqi dinars from one of Iraq's provinces.
The latest discoveries significantly increase the amount of money recovered since the investigation began.
The judge said legal proceedings remain ongoing and that authorities continue to pursue other suspects connected to the case.
Properties, Vehicles, and Gold Confiscated
According to the statement, the investigation has also resulted in the seizure and confiscation of:
- 70 properties
- 21 modern vehicles
- Approximately 3 kilograms of gold jewelry
Judicial authorities said the assets are believed to be linked to the alleged corruption network under investigation.
The court added that efforts to identify additional assets and individuals involved in the case are continuing.
One of Iraq's Largest Recent Corruption Cases
The case emerged publicly earlier this month when Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council announced extensive seizures linked to al-Jumaili, who previously served as Deputy Oil Minister for Refining Affairs.
On June 2, investigators disclosed that they had confiscated dozens of properties in Baghdad, Salah al-Din, and Erbil, as well as millions of dollars in cash, gold, and weapons.
Authorities also reported the seizure of large quantities of light and medium weapons during raids connected to the investigation.
The case is regarded as one of the most significant recent anti-corruption investigations involving a senior figure from Iraq's oil sector, which generates the vast majority of the country's government revenue.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's government has repeatedly identified corruption as a top priority and pledged to pursue investigations involving senior officials regardless of their political status or position.
The Supreme Judicial Council said investigations remain ongoing and that additional legal measures could follow as authorities continue tracing assets and pursuing other individuals implicated in the case.