Iraq Says Seized Assets in Former Deputy Oil Minister's Corruption Case Rise to 98 Billion Dinars and $11 Million

Peregraf - Iraqi authorities have recovered more than 98 billion dinars and $11 million in cash as part of an expanding corruption investigation involving former Deputy Oil Minister for Refining Affairs Adnan Mohammed al-Jumaili, one of the country's most significant recent anti-corruption cases.

Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council announced Tuesday that investigators seized an additional 67 billion Iraqi dinars and more than $1 million during operations linked to the case.

According to the investigating judge at the Central Criminal Court for Combating Corruption, the latest developments also led to the arrest of former Salah al-Din Governor and current provincial Health Director Raed al-Jubouri.

The judge said al-Jubouri's arrest was based on statements and confessions made by al-Jumaili during questioning.

Cash Found Buried Underground

Judicial authorities said part of the newly recovered funds was discovered inside the homes of several individuals connected to the investigation.

The remaining money was buried approximately four meters underground and was recovered after specialized excavation equipment was used to uncover the hidden cache.

The latest operation increased the total amount of cash seized in the case to more than 98 billion Iraqi dinars and $11 million.

The court said the funds are believed to represent proceeds linked to waste, irregularities, and suspected corruption in projects overseen by al-Jumaili and other individuals under investigation.

Investigation Continues to Expand

The latest seizures follow a series of major discoveries announced by the Supreme Judicial Council over the past several weeks.

On June 22, investigators reported seizing approximately 20 billion dinars hidden on a farm and said they had prevented an attempt to smuggle another 5 billion dinars from one of Iraq's provinces.

Authorities have also confiscated:

• 70 properties

• 21 modern vehicles

• Approximately 3 kilograms of gold jewelry

The assets are believed to be connected to what officials describe as a broader corruption network.

One of Iraq's Largest Corruption Cases

The case first became public earlier this month when judicial authorities disclosed extensive seizures linked to al-Jumaili, who previously served as Deputy Oil Minister for Refining Affairs.

On June 2, investigators announced the confiscation of dozens of properties in Baghdad, Salah al-Din, and Erbil, along with large sums of cash, gold, and weapons.

Authorities also reported seizing substantial quantities of light and medium weapons during raids associated with the investigation.

The probe is widely viewed as one of Iraq's most significant recent corruption cases involving a senior official from the oil sector, which remains the backbone of the country's economy and the source of most government revenue.

Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's government has repeatedly identified corruption as one of its top priorities and pledged to pursue investigations involving senior officials regardless of their political affiliation or position.

The Supreme Judicial Council said investigations remain ongoing and that additional arrests, asset seizures, and legal measures are possible as authorities continue tracing funds and pursuing other individuals implicated in the case.