Anti-graft raids shock Iraq as crackdown reveals millions in cash, gold
BAGHDAD – Iraqis woke on Sunday to scenes few had witnessed in decades as security forces arrested senior politicians and lawmakers in the heavily fortified Green Zone before dramatic images of raids, stacks of cash and gold bars spread rapidly across social media, fuelling public hopes that the country may finally be entering a new phase in its fight against corruption.
The unprecedented operation, carried out under judicial warrants, targeted members of parliament, senior officials and businessmen accused of financial corruption and abuse of office as Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s government widened what it described as the first stage of a sweeping anti-graft campaign.
The images that dominated Iraqi social media focused on former lawmaker Alia Nassif, whose arrest became one of the country’s most discussed topics after videos appeared showing security officers searching her residence.
Authorities found more than 20 billion Iraqi dinars (about $15.5 million) in cash along with quantities of gold at the property, according to Iraqi media. Nassif was detained alongside her son, who previously served as chief of staff to former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.
Nassif, one of Iraq’s best-known parliamentarians, served multiple terms in parliament, most recently between 2021 and 2025. She became known for her outspoken speeches on corruption and public services, as well as a widely-publicised altercation in parliament in which she threw a reportedly five-million-dinar shoe at fellow lawmaker Salman al-Jumaili.
Iraqis also widely circulated footage of a raid on a horse farm belonging to Nassif’s son Sajid, with social media users claiming the horses were worth more than $7 million, although Reuters could not independently verify those estimates.
The videos prompted an outpouring of public anger over what many Iraqis described as the vast scale of corruption that had accumulated over years. Many users demanded that authorities pursue what they referred to as the country’s “big fish” and recover public money allegedly stolen from state institutions.
The arrests followed judicial decisions lifting parliamentary immunity from lawmakers suspected of financial crimes and influence peddling, including allegations linked to Education Ministry contracts for printing school textbooks.
According to Iraqi sources, the investigation is connected to the same case that prompted Iraq’s central bank in 2020 to seize control of Al Wifaq Bank, owned by lawmaker Muthanna al-Samarrai, and freeze about 8 billion dinars held by the institution.
Many Iraqis also reposted older videos showing some of the detained politicians publicly pledging honesty, denying involvement in corruption and promising to combat the misuse of public funds.
The Iraqi News Agency published the names of several detainees, including Al-Azm Alliance leader and parliamentarian Muthanna al-Samarrai, lawmakers Ziyad al-Janabi, Bahaa al-Nouri, Mohammed al-Karbouli, Alia Nassif, Mohammed Jamil al-Mayahi, Hassanein al-Khafaji, Abdul Rahman al-Luwaizi, Mudar al-Karaawi, Hind al-Abbasi, Mohammed Farman al-Jubouri, Bushra al-Qaisi and Mohammed al-Sayhoud, as well as Oil Ministry Undersecretary Ali Maarij and former government adviser Ibrahim al-Sumaidaie.
The Federal Commission of Integrity said it had begun implementing judicial arrest warrants against suspects accused of misappropriating public funds.
“The commission has initiated firm measures to execute judicial arrest warrants issued against a number of individuals accused of encroaching on public money,” it said.
It described the operation as the result of close coordination between Iraq’s judicial, executive and legislative authorities alongside the commission’s own investigations.
The commission said all procedures were being carried out strictly under Iraqi law and credited “absolute public support” together with backing from the heads of the judiciary, government and parliament for strengthening its campaign.
It also pledged to keep the public informed about the investigation “accurately and transparently” within the limits permitted by Iraqi law.
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi said on Monday the campaign would continue, declaring that “no corrupt person will enjoy immunity” and promising that further rounds would follow.
“The government is waging a battle against corruption,” Zaidi told a cabinet meeting, adding that public money “must return to its owners” and vowing not to remain silent over abuses of public funds.
Officials say the arrests form only the opening phase of what could become Iraq’s broadest anti-corruption drive in years as authorities continue investigations into senior political, administrative and business figures across the country.