BAGHDAD: Iraq’s judiciary said on Monday it seized over $14 million from an oil official who was arrested a day earlier, along with others, as part of a government-led anti-corruption campaign.
Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council said “initial investigations” into deputy oil minister for distribution affairs Ali Al-Bahadli “resulted in the seizure of $11 million and four billion Iraqi dinars,” equivalent to over $3 million.
Several properties have been seized and the investigation continues, the council added.
The seizure marks the initial result of Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi’s anti-corruption campaign, which began early Sunday when Iraqi security forces raided Baghdad’s Green Zone and other neighborhoods, detaining officials.
Iraq’s news agency INA quoted senior officials Sunday as saying that 47 suspects had been arrested, including members of parliament, as well as Al-Bahadli.
