ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) on Sunday issued two arrest warrants against Ahmed al-Asadi, former minister of labour and leader of an armed faction within Iran-aligned Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), on charges of illicit enrichment.
The warrants, issued by Baghdad’s Karkh Court of Appeal, accuse Asadi of two separate offenses.
The first alleges that Asadi “profited directly from contracts and works” he was responsible for preparing in his capacity as minister of labor and social affairs, including by approving contracts in violation of the law to secure benefits for himself and others.
The second warrant was issued over Asadi’s “failure to prove the legality of the increase in his assets.”
His arrest comes amid a nationwide anti-corruption campaign led by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi in coordination with the federal Integrity Commission. Since its launch in late June, the unprecedented effort has resulted in the confiscation of millions of dollars and arrests of multiple politicians, current and former lawmakers, and government officials.
The total amount of recovered funds has reached approximately 390 billion Iraqi dinars (over $297 million), along with half a ton of gold and dozens of properties and assets.
Asadi served as Iraq’s minister of labour and social affairs in former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s government. He previously served as spokesperson for the PMF.
Asadi was also part of Sudani’s Reconstruction and Development Coalition in the 2025 Iraqi elections, with his Bilad Sumer bloc winning six seats.
Among the politicians arrested are the Sunni leader Muthanna al-Samarrai and Sudani’s advisor Ibrahim al-Sumaidaie. The former Salahadin governor and sitting lawmaker, Ahmed al-Jubouri, was arrested late Saturday.
Ali Ma'arij al-Bahadli, the Deputy Oil Minister for Distribution Affairs, is among the senior government officials arrested during the ongoing campaign.
Mohammed al-Hajaf, a businessman and close associate of Jubouri, was also arrested on Sunday in connection with the alleged embezzlement of governorate contracts in Salahaddin.
