Iraq seizes 375 kg of gold in probe involving deputy oil minister

Iraqi authorities have confiscated 375 kilograms of gold as part of investigations into corruption and bribery cases involving dozens of senior officials, including Deputy Oil Minister for Refining Affairs Adnan al-Jumaili, members of parliament and prominent businessmen, most of them linked to the energy and oil sectors, Dia Jaafar, a representative of Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council, has stated.

He said, in coordination with judicial authorities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, 358 kilograms of gold bullion were seized in a case in which al-Jumaili is the main suspect, Caliber.Az reports, citing Iraqi media.

According to him, another 17 kilograms of gold had been confiscated during searches linked to a separate investigation into corruption schemes in the country's oil industry.

All seized gold bars have been transferred to the Central Bank of Iraq.

In late June, Iraqi security forces detained 47 senior officials and members of parliament on corruption charges.

Authorities also said that at least 200 additional arrest warrants had been issued for officials of various ranks.

At the time, Iraqi authorities stated that the investigation was ongoing and that new names linked to corruption in the oil and electricity ministries will soon be announced.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov