In a strategic crackdown early Sunday morning, Iraqi forces executed a series of raids and arrests within Baghdad's Green Zone.
Sources from Al Arabiya/Al Hadath revealed that these arrests are tied to corruption cases, following confessions by detained Iraqi Deputy Oil Minister, Adnan Al-Jimaili.
The sources further indicated that the arrests included politicians and businessmen, after Judge Diyaa Jaafar of the Anti-Corruption Court issued warrants for suspected individuals. Among those detained are reportedly members of parliament.
Green Zone Raids
On social media, footage of these raids circulated widely, showing intensified security deployment within the Green Zone.
Only last week, Iraqi judiciary authorities announced the confiscation of over $85 million, a portion of which was discovered hidden in homes and underground pits, linked to Al-Jimaili's corruption case. He was apprehended last month (May) in Iraq's Saladin Province.
The Higher Judicial Council had previously clarified that their investigations into “project mismanagement by the suspect and others” led to the seizure of cash exceeding 67 billion dinars and $1 million.
A portion of this money was reportedly “concealed in various homes, while additional sums were buried four meters underground,” raising the total seized funds in the investigation to over 98 billion dinars and $11 million—with the total exceeding $85 million.
Based on Al-Jimaili’s statements during interrogation, Raed Al-Jubouri, director of the Saladin health department, was also detained, according to the statement.
Legal actions in this case further included the seizure of 70 properties, 21 modern vehicles, and approximately 3 kilograms of gold jewelry, as detailed by the Higher Judicial Council.
This case involving Al-Jimaili is among Iraq's latest corruption scandals, shocking many citizens, as the new government under Ali Al-Zaidi pledges to combat corruption.