Iraqi authorities seize $20 million in cash, gold in corruption probe PHOTO

Iraqi authorities have seized approximately $20 million in cash hidden inside plastic water bottles and 5 kilograms of gold during a search of the home of former Deputy Oil Minister Adnan Mohammed Hamoud al-Jumaili as part of an ongoing corruption investigation.

The raid was conducted as part of an investigation into alleged corruption and the suspected embezzlement of funds allocated for government projects, Arabic media reports.

According to the authorities, the latest operation brings the total value of assets confiscated in the case to about $120 million. In addition to cash and gold, investigators also seized real estate, vehicles and gold jewellery.

Al-Jumaili was detained in June on suspicion of corruption linked to contracts for the construction of oil refineries.

The investigation is part of a broader anti-corruption campaign launched by the Iraqi prime minister, under which dozens of officials and lawmakers suspected of involvement in corruption schemes have previously been detained.

By Sabina Mammadli