Peregraf — Iraqi judicial authorities have recovered 375 kilograms of gold as part of the expanding corruption investigation involving former Deputy Oil Minister for Refining Affairs Adnan al-Jumaili, the Supreme Judicial Council announced on Monday.
According to the Iraqi judiciary’s media office, the investigating judge of the Central Anti-Corruption Criminal Court said 358 kilograms of gold were recovered in coordination with the Kurdistan Region under the supervision of Supreme Judicial Council President Judge Faiq Zidan.
The judge added that investigators also seized an additional 17 kilograms of gold in a separate corruption case, bringing the total amount of gold placed under judicial custody on July 13 to 375 kilograms.
The recovered gold was handed over to the Director General of the Issuance and Treasury Department at the Central Bank of Iraq and his deputy as part of ongoing legal procedures.
The judiciary said the recoveries form part of continuing efforts to complete the investigation into al-Jumaili and recover assets allegedly obtained through corruption, including movable and immovable property.
The latest seizure comes days after the Supreme Judicial Council announced the recovery of an additional 14 billion Iraqi dinars on July 9, which investigators said had been hidden inside a rainwater drainage pit.
With the latest recoveries, Iraqi authorities have now seized 141 billion Iraqi dinars, $24 million, and 375 kilograms of gold, in addition to confiscating numerous properties and vehicles linked to the investigation.
Iraqi authorities continue a sweeping anti-corruption campaign centered on 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.