Iraq nabs convicted official in public funds mismanagement case

KIRKUK — The Iraq’s Federal Commission of Integrity announced on Saturday the recovery of Samir Younis, a convicted official, from Turkish authorities. Younis had been implicated in a case involving the mismanagement of public funds and violation of professional duties.

According to a statement, “the commission’s efforts in monitoring, investigation, and coordination with domestic and international entities led to the apprehension of Younis in Turkey.”

Younis, a former official at the Kirkuk Grain Silo under the government-owned General Company for Grain Trade, was found guilty of financial misconduct.

While serving as a member of the committee responsible for check disbursements, Younis authorized payments and advances from checks belonging to one complainant without their written approval, instead transferring the funds to another defendant. He also distributed checks intended for grain suppliers to an individual unauthorized to act on behalf of the farmers.

The commission’s coordination with the Directorate of Arab and International Police under the Iraqi Ministry of Interior, along with the Public Prosecution Office, resulted in the issuance of a red notice and an international warrant. Younis was subsequently detained in Turkey with the assistance of Interpol’s Ankara National Central Bureau.

Upon his return, the commission noted the collaboration between the Ministry of Interior’s coordination office in the Kurdistan Region and the Kurdish security forces. Younis was handed over at the Ibrahim Khalil border crossing, located in Duhok province, and escorted to the competent court in Kirkuk.

Kirkuk’s criminal and misdemeanor courts had previously issued two sentences against Younis, totaling eight years of imprisonment. The courts deemed the evidence sufficient to convict him of mismanaging public funds and violating official duties.