ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdistan Region's interior minister said on Sunday that Kurdish security forces have arrested and transferred multiple wanted individuals to federal authorities in Baghdad as part of an ongoing nationwide anti-corruption campaign launched by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi.
“We have arrested and handed over a large number of wanted individuals, seized substantial amounts of cash and gold, and confiscated the assets of those wanted. We have maintained full cooperation and coordination, and we will continue to do so” Reber Ahmed told reporters in Erbil.
“In the fight against corruption - which is also one of the primary priorities of our own cabinet - and within the framework of coordination with the federal government, we have complied with every request issued by the federal government, the Prime Minister [Zaidi], or the Federal Integrity Commission,” he added.
Operation Dawn, a nationwide anti-corruption campaign, was launched on June 28. In coordination with the Federal Commission of Integrity, security forces and judicial bodies have since conducted dozens of raids across Baghdad and other provinces, arresting more than 200 government officials and employees.
Iraq has recovered funds and assets worth more than $1 billion during the campaign, a government spokesperson said on Saturday.
The Federal Commission of Integrity later on Sunday announced seven-year prison sentences for former lawmaker Talal al-Zobaie and oil ministry deputy minister for distribution Ali al-Bahadeli, both convicted of illicit enrichment.
According to the commission, Zobaie amassed approximately 35 billion Iraqi dinars ($26.7 million) in illicit gains and was ordered by the court to pay roughly 70 billion dinars ($53.4 million) in restitution and an equivalent fine.
The commission said Bahadeli accumulated approximately 26.5 billion dinars ($20 million) in illicit wealth and was ordered to pay a total of 53 billion dinars ($40.4 million), comprising restitution of the illicit gains and an equivalent fine.
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