The biggest action ever taken against corruption was seen in Iraq. On the orders of Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi, security forces raided several places in the capital Baghdad late at night. During this period, 47 people including MPs and senior government officials were detained. The government says that this campaign has been started to take action against the network of corruption.
Late night action in Green Zone
According to Reuters report, Iraqi security forces raided several houses in the high-security Green Zone of the capital Baghdad early on Sunday. This operation was carried out by the country’s elite Counter Terrorism Service. Government news agency INA quoted a senior official as saying that 47 suspects, including MPs and government officials, were detained in this action. According to legal and security sources, this action was taken on the basis of the arrest warrant issued by the court.
Crackdown on corruption network on Prime Minister’s orders
Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi, who assumed office in May, had promised strict action against corruption as soon as he took charge of the government. Government spokesman Haider al-Aboodi said the campaign was launched on the direct orders of the prime minister and aims to strengthen government institutions and protect public funds. According to INA, after the arrest of Adnan Al Jumaili, Deputy Oil Minister for Refining Affairs, action was also taken against several other officials on the basis of his statement.
Deputy Oil Minister also in custody, some suspects absconding
According to sources, Deputy Oil Minister for Distribution Ali Mariz is also among those detained. The US had imposed sanctions on him in May, accusing him of diverting Iraqi oil to benefit Iran and Iran-backed groups and exporting Iranian crude by mixing it with Iraqi oil through fake documents. However, at that time Iraq’s Oil Ministry had denied these allegations. According to sources, some suspects fled before the security forces arrived, after which the entry gates of the Green Zone were closed and the search for them was intensified. The government says that this campaign will continue in the coming days also.
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