ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council on Monday has announced the seizure of large sums of cash and properties during an ongoing corruption investigation involving the deputy minister of oil for distribution affairs, Ali Maarij al-Bahadly, who was sanctioned by the US in May.
Preliminary investigations resulted in the seizure of “a large amount of cash” amounting to "$11 million US dollars and four billion Iraqi dinars ($3 million) in addition to the seizure of several properties,” an investigating judge from the Central Anti-Corruption Criminal Court said in a statement on Monday.
The case is part of a broader anti-corruption campaign initiated by Iraqi PM Ali al-Zaidi that escalated after security forces launched large-scale operations in Baghdad and other provinces early Sunday morning.
The raids, supported by the air force, have led to the arrest of several senior officials and lawmakers, including Muthanna al-Samarrai, head of the Azm Alliance, and Maarij himself.
According to the Supreme Judicial Council, the cash was discovered hidden in bags placed inside a wall. Photos released by the court showed four sacks containing cash, another bag with five boxes, and a luxury wristwatch. Authorities also confirmed the seizure of several properties and real estate assets belonging to Maarij, as investigations continue.
The US Treasury Department placed Maarij under sanctions for his “instrumental” role in facilitating “the diversion of oil to be sold for the benefit of the Iranian regime and its proxy militias in Iraq,” aiding and abetting “known Iran-affiliated oil smuggler Salim Ahmed Said,” sanctioned in July 2025, “as well as Iran-backed terrorist militia Asa’ib Ahl Al-Haq (AAH),” and by extension, Iran.
This comes amid Washington’s broader move to hold “Iran-aligned terrorist militias in Iraq, such as Kata’ib Hizballah, accountable for their attacks against U.S. personnel and civilians, diplomatic facilities, and businesses across Iraq.”
To date, investigations have led to the arrest of 21 individuals, including senior officials, political leaders, and members of parliament, with Iraqi judicial authorities stating that further details will be released as the case progresses.
Iraq ranked 136th out of 180 countries in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) in 2025, scoring 28 out of 100, reflecting a high level of public-sector corruption compared to global standards.
