Iraq seizes 375 kg of gold in major corruption operation

Iraqi authorities have recovered 375 kilograms of gold in a significant anti-corruption sweep, the High Judicial Council announced. The operation is linked to an investigation into former Deputy Oil Minister Adnan el-Zumayli, who was dismissed in June.

During the investigation, coordinated between the Central Anti-Corruption Crimes Investigation Court and the Kurdistan Regional Government, and overseen by High Judicial Council President Faik Zeydan, 358 kilograms of gold were recovered in connection with el-Zumayli's case. An additional 17 kilograms were seized in a separate corruption probe, bringing the total recovered in one day to 375 kilograms. The gold has been delivered to the Iraqi Central Bank's Issuance and Treasury Department.

Further actions in the el-Zumayli case include a judicial order in Mosul to freeze nine commercial properties and three flour factories. These assets are valued at approximately 69 billion Iraqi dinars (around $52.6 million). Seven modern trucks, each worth about $200,000, were also confiscated. The court found that fugitive suspects had registered these properties under employees' names to conceal illicit funds.

To preserve these income-generating assets, a custodian has been appointed to manage them on behalf of the state. The Judicial Council emphasized that efforts to recover movable and immovable assets obtained through corruption and to apprehend fugitive suspects are ongoing. The council stated that those responsible will be held accountable. In recent weeks, Iraqi judiciary announced the detention of dozens of suspects in the same case, including lawmakers whose immunity was lifted and high-ranking public officials.