Iraq Seizes 375 Kilograms of Gold in Major Corruption Case Linked to Former Oil Ministry Official
The Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq announced the confiscation of 375 kilograms of gold and the seizure of properties and factories worth tens of millions of dollars in connection with two corruption cases. This action is part of investigations involving Adnan al-Jumaili, the dismissed and detained former deputy oil minister for refining affairs.
The Media Center of Iraq’s Judiciary stated in a release that the Central Criminal Investigations Court for Anti-Corruption, in coordination with the Kurdistan Region and under the supervision of Faiq Zidan, head of the Supreme Judicial Council, discovered and confiscated 358 kilograms of gold related to al-Jumaili’s case. Additionally, 17 kilograms of gold were seized in a separate case, bringing the total gold confiscated on Tuesday to 375 kilograms.
According to published information, all these seized gold consignments have been deposited with the Printing and Treasury Department of the Central Bank of Iraq to be held in accordance with legal procedures.
In a separate statement, the judiciary media center announced that the Nineveh Investigation Court, continuing its inquiries, has ordered the seizure of nine commercial properties and three flour production factories in the city of Mosul. The total value of these assets is estimated at approximately 69 billion Iraqi dinars, equivalent to nearly 52.6 million US dollars.
Furthermore, seven modern cargo trucks were seized, each estimated to be worth around 200,000 dollars. Judicial officials stated that these assets are considered productive and profitable properties.
The judiciary revealed that some fleeing suspects had registered assets in the names of their workers to conceal the illegal origins of the properties. To prevent the loss of these assets, the court appointed a judicial attorney to manage these properties and factories so that revenues generated would be collected for the benefit of the state.
The Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq emphasized that pursuing fugitives, recovering movable and immovable properties obtained through corruption, and prosecuting all individuals involved in accordance with the law will continue.
Adnan al-Jumaili was dismissed from his position on June 2 of this year due to suspicions of embezzlement of public funds, illegal contract signings, and money laundering. In recent days, reports have surfaced about the detention of dozens of other suspects, including some members of parliament and executive officials whose immunity was lifted to complete investigations.
