New Iraqi prime minister pledges intensified anti-corruption drive

Iraq’s new Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has pledged to continue a large-scale campaign against corruption following a series of arrests targeting senior officials and lawmakers in Baghdad.

The prime minister emphasised that all illegally obtained public funds must be returned to the state.

“The people's money must be returned to its rightful owners,” al-Zaidi said, adding that corrupt officials in his government enjoy "no immunity whatsoever." He noted that the recent arrests represent only the first stage of the anti-corruption campaign.

According to official data, 47 people were detained on Sunday, June 28, following testimony from former Deputy Oil Minister Adnan al-Jumaili. Investigators have already seized assets worth around $85 million, including cash, real estate, vehicles, gold, weapons, and ammunition.

Some analysts describe the case as the largest anti-corruption investigation in Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime.

Iraq remains one of the countries with a high level of corruption, with the oil sector being particularly affected, according to the non-governmental organisation Transparency International.

However, some experts suggest that the anti-corruption campaign may also be used by the new prime minister to consolidate political power and exert pressure on opponents.

By Jeyhun Aghazada