Gold bars seized by Iraqi security in the corruption case of deputy oil minister, Adnan al-Jumaili. Photo: INA
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council revealed on Wednesday that investigations into the case of Adnan al-Jumaili, a deputy oil minister accused of corruption, have resulted in the seizure of 13 billion Iraqi dinars (nearly $10 million), $400,000, and 40 gold bars hidden in different locations in the northern province of Salah al-Din.
The step is part of the Iraqi government’s ongoing nationwide anti-corruption campaign launched last month.
The Iraqi judiciary said in a statement that each of the gold bars weighs one kilogram. It added that security forces also seized five kilograms of gold jewelry, according to the state-run news agency (INA).
The seizures resulted from ongoing investigations into the suspect, according to the statement.
Al-Jumaili’s case is one of the most prominent corruption cases that emerged in the past few months, as the government’s campaign targets people suspected of theft and wasting public funds.
Iraqi authorities had already announced al-Jumaili’s arrest on allegations of financial and administrative corruption before the judiciary opened a broad investigation into the issue, including a review of his accounts, assets, and finances.
The Supreme Judicial Council did not provide any information on the locations where the money and gold were discovered and mentioned that search and recovery efforts are ongoing.
The Iraqi cabinet affirmed that recovering public funds is one of the priorities of its agenda, while the Federal Commission of Integrity and the judiciary are working to pursue those accused both inside and outside Iraq.