The Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported on Tuesday that a court ruling has sentenced a general director at the Ministry of Electricity to four years in prison due to corruption-related charges. A source told the Iraqi News Agency that "based on the investigations of the Anti-Corruption Committee, a ruling was issued against Raad Qasem Mohammed, the general director of the Economic, Contracts, and Investments Department at the Ministry of Electricity, sentencing him to four years in prison and a financial fine of ten million dinars" (approximately 6,900 USD).
The agency added, citing the source, that "this came in light of the issuance of a check related to awarding projects in favor of companies." This incident occurs as Iraq faces near-daily protests due to frequent power outages during the hot summer months, causing daily suffering for citizens. The electricity network in Iraq has recently experienced a complete collapse that cut off electricity from hospitals, airports, and other major government buildings. This situation coincides with over 70 electrical transmission towers being targeted in explosions across regions from south to north Iraq.
According to indicators from Transparency International, Iraq is one of the most corrupt countries over the past years. Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi has repeatedly pledged to combat corruption and implement genuine reforms in a state experiencing multiple crises.
