The Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq has announced the recovery of 19 billion Iraqi dinars (equivalent to $16 million) as part of ongoing investigations into financial corruption involving manipulation of deposit records related to Iraqi Airways.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi has directed the Ministry of Finance to create an account for depositing funds recovered from those involved in illicit gains.
The Iraqi government is intensifying its anti-corruption campaign with new initiatives targeting those implicated in corruption and aiming to recover public funds. This issue has resurfaced as officials confirm ongoing measures will continue in the future stages.
The crackdown on corruption in Iraq did not begin with recent arrests. According to related statements, the tracing and prosecution actions commenced last October, led by the Iraqi judiciary. The government maintains that this initiative is designed to uncover corruption cases, prosecute those involved, and recover public funds within the legal framework.
The judiciary and government action accelerated in recent days, with Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi declaring the recent developments as the "first phase" of a broader campaign, emphasizing that tackling corruption remains a priority.
In a related financial maneuver, Al-Zaidi directed the Ministry of Finance to establish a special account for depositing funds retrieved from those involved in cases of illicit gains. This aims to organize the management of these funds and ensures they are handled within the framework of state institutions.
"This campaign is just the beginning. The corruption issue is far from over, and we will continue to combat it," said Al-Zaidi. "Anyone holding public funds must return them to their rightful owners. The people’s money must go back to the people."
Al-Zaidi reassured that the current measures are not tied to a temporary campaign, emphasizing that investigations will persist as files expand before competent authorities.
The Iraqi government asserts that the upcoming phase will focus on completing legal procedures and strengthening oversight on public funds.