Peregraf- Iraqi authorities have arrested Hussein Talib, Director General of the Oil Products Distribution Company, on corruption charges as the country's sweeping anti-corruption campaign continues to expand.
According to high-level sources cited by the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA), a security force arrested Talib on Wednesday in connection with the ongoing corruption investigation.
The arrest comes as Iraqi authorities continue a broad anti-corruption campaign centered on former Deputy Oil Minister for Refining Affairs Adnan al-Jumaili, whose case has expanded to include numerous members of parliament and senior government officials.
The broader investigation has already resulted in the arrest of dozens of MPs and senior government officials during operations launched on June 28 and in the days that followed. Judicial authorities have said additional arrests and legal measures are expected as the corruption probe continues to expand.
On July 6, Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council announced that investigators had seized an additional 25 billion Iraqi dinars (IQD), $1 million, and approximately 5 kilograms of gold jewelry linked to the al-Jumaili investigation.
According to the investigating judge of the Central Anti-Corruption Criminal Court, the newly recovered assets were discovered hidden inside plastic water bottles at al-Jumaili's residence in Tikrit during efforts to trace proceeds allegedly obtained through the misuse of public funds.
With the latest seizure, Iraqi authorities have recovered a total of 127 billion Iraqi dinars, $24 million, in addition to confiscating numerous properties, vehicles, and gold jewelry connected to the case.
The Supreme Judicial Council said investigations remain ongoing and that authorities continue pursuing additional suspects and assets until all legal procedures are completed.