Iraq issues 34 arrest warrants over billion-dinar land graft in Anbar

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iraq’s Federal Commission of Integrity on Tuesday announced that it has issued arrest warrants for 34 individuals accused of seizing state-owned properties in Anbar, amid a sweeping government crackdown on corruption.

“The two properties total 40 dunams, subdivided into 336 plots,” the commission said in a statement, adding that “a court order was issued to seize the properties and prohibit any transactions involving them.”

The commission statement valued the properties at over 1.8 billion Iraqi dinars (around $1.37 million) “according to initial estimates.”

The arrests come amid a renewed clampdown on corruption by the Iraqi government under Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi.

Iraqi authorities announced the arrests of former Labor and Social Affairs Minister Ahmed al-Asadi and Former Salahaddin Governor Ahmed al-Jubouri, also known as Abu Mazin, on corruption charges earlier in the week.

The anti-graft crackdown started in late June with a sweeping raid of Baghdad’s Green Zone, where much of the Iraqi government’s administrative nerve is concentrated. The raid saw the arrest of several high-ranking Iraqi officials.

Zaidi’s clampdown on corruption has witnessed widespread support across the Iraqi political sphere, including the ruling Coordination Framework.

The Iraqi government officially confirmed that at least 21 people were detained during the crackdown operation – dubbed Operation Dawn – on corruption charges, in late June. Iraqi state media had initially reported that 47 people were arrested.

Among those detained were Sunni Azm Alliance leader Muthanna al-Samarrai, former Wasit Governor Mohammed Jamil al-Mayahi, Oil Ministry Undersecretary Ali Ma’arij al-Bahadli, and Ibrahim al-Sumaidaie, a senior adviser to former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani.