ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq's highest judicial authority announced Monday that the total value of confiscated assets linked to a detained senior oil ministry official has risen sharply amid an ongoing probe, following the recovery of millions of dollars in hidden cash, jewelry, luxury vehicles, and real estate.
Earlier in June, Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council unveiled the seizure of around $10 million and three billion Iraqi dinars, as well as 40 properties across Iraq and 1.5 kilograms of gold linked to Adnan Mohammed Mahmoud, the former Deputy Oil Minister for Refining Affairs, and "his associates." One US dollar is valued at 1,320 Iraqi dinars in the official rate.
The council on Monday published a new figure regarding the raids.
"As a result of careful tracking to seize the financial proceeds resulting from the waste [of public funds] in projects executed by the accused and other parties to the case, the total amount of seized funds has risen to $10 million and 31 billion Iraqi dinars," the council said on Monday.
Citing the investigating judge of the Central Anti-Corruption Criminal Court in Baghdad, the statement also pointed to the confiscation of an additional 20 billion Iraqi dinars "hidden in a farm," as well as the foiling of an attempt to "smuggle" five billion Iraqi dinars "in one of the provinces."
The number of seized properties associated with the former official has also increased, reaching 70 real estate units and 21 "modern vehicles," alongside gold jewelry estimated at approximately three kilograms.
"The investigations and the pursuit of other involved individuals are ongoing until all legal procedures are completed," the Iraqi judiciary concluded.
When arrested the official was arrested, Iraq's Communications Minister Mustafa Sanad described him as an "oil whale," accusing him of "siphoning funds" from refineries and financing political parties.
This case is the first major anti-corruption effort under the auspices of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, who was appointed in late April.
Zaidi earlier revealed that he was offered a $200 million bribe to bury the corruption case in the oil ministry. The Iraqi premier said his government will implement a "comprehensive" reform program to combat corruption and scale back the country's overreliance on oil revenues.
"The path of reform may be difficult, but it is not impossible when intentions are united, and efforts are sincere," Zaidi said in his first official address after assuming office.
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