Since the dawn of Sunday (June 28th), Iraqi authorities have arrested 47 people accused of corruption among MPs and officials, as part of an ongoing anti-corruption campaign, according to state media.
The Iraqi News Agency quoted high-level sources as saying that "47 accused MPs and officials have been arrested on corruption charges", including at least 12 MPs, noting that "the prosecution of corrupt people continues in Baghdad and the provinces based on confessions made by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil, Adnan al-Jumaili.
The source explained that the arrests included members of the House of Representatives who were waived of their immunity, along with other officials whose names were included in the investigations, stressing that Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi "will not hesitate to prosecute corrupt people and those involved in trespassing on state funds."
The Iraqi News Agency did not disclose the names of the detainees or the nature of the charges against each of them, while the details of the investigations remained under wraps.
The source explained that the arrests included members of the House of Representatives who were waived of their immunity, along with other officials whose names were mentioned in the investigations, stressing that the Iraqi prime minister "will not hesitate to pursue the corrupt and those involved in the encroachment on state funds."
The Iraqi News Agency did not disclose the names of the detainees or the nature of the charges against each of them, while the details of the investigations remained under wraps.
A security source said that the areas covered by the arrests in Baghdad are the Green Zone, Yarmouk, Qadisiyah, Al-Shaab, Sadr City, andZayouna, in addition to arrests in the provinces of Maysan, Babil, Diyala, and Salah al-Din.
Integrity Commission: Judicial Arrest Warrants
The Integrity Commission announced the start of its procedures, which it described as "firm", to implement the judicial arrest warrants issued against a number of people accused of trespassing on public funds.
The Authority stressed that "this achievement came as a result of the concerted joint and complementary efforts between the three judicial, executive and legislative authorities with the efforts of the Authority, which led directly to the implementation of those orders thereafter, as a result of diligent and continuous follow-up, audit and monitoring processes by the aforementioned authorities."
The Commission stressed that "all its procedures are strictly carried out under the provisions of the law and under its umbrella," noting that it "derives its strength and determination from the absolute popular support and the rule of law, and the unlimited support and continuous support of the Supreme Judicial Council, the Prime Minister and the Speaker of the House of Representatives."
It reiterated its keenness and unwavering commitment to inform the public of the details of its work and procedures accurately and transparently, in accordance with the laws and regulations in force.
Social media documents raiding campaigns
Eyewitnesses said that a force from the Counter-Terrorism Service clashed with the protection of a figure while trying to execute an arrest warrant against her, without clarifying the nature of the clash or whether it resulted in additional injuries or arrests.
The sources reported that the force also carried out raids in several areas of the capital, at a time when there were reports of the arrest of a senior official, without being able to independently verify this information, while a source spoke of a raid on the house of a senior official in a previous government.
Users circulated videos on social media that they said showed the closure of a number of the main gates of the Green Zone, and the deployment of tanks, armored vehicles and military vehicles inside them, while the authenticity of these clips could not be independently verified.
Names of Detainees
While official Iraqi sources confirmed that arrests have been made against defendants whose names were mentioned in the investigations, the Iraqi government and judicial authorities are still refraining from issuing an official statement that includes the names or number of those arrested, while Iraqi media have circulated the names of a number of MPs and politicians who were reportedly arrested during the campaign.
For its part, Rudaw Network quoted a source in the Iraqi Integrity Commission as saying that the arrest campaign resulted in the arrest of a number of political figures, including MPs, and according to the source, the names circulating include MPs Mohammed al-Karbouli, Alia Nassif, Mohammed Farhan al-Jubouri, Hassan al-Khafaji, Mudhar al-Karwi, Ayham Mazhar al-Karwi, and Bahaa al-Din al-Nouri.
The source added that the arrests also affected the head of the "Azm" alliance, Muthanna al-Samarrai, along with former MP Mohammed al-Sahoud, while a source within the "Azm" alliance confirmed to the network the authenticity of al-Samarrai's arrest.
Although these names are widely circulated, there has been no official confirmation from the Iraqi government or the Supreme Judicial Council about the identities of the detainees.
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