Six customs employees arrested for bribery at Kirkuk crossing

KIRKUK — Iraq’s Federal Integrity Commission said Wednesday it had arrested six employees at the Giman customs crossing in Kirkuk governorate, alleging they accepted bribes to process and approve customs transactions.

The commission said the arrests were carried out with the National Security Service under a judicial warrant. Investigators from its Kirkuk office conducted surveillance that led to the employees being caught “red-handed” taking money from a customs broker in return for facilitating procedures, with the alleged bribe money found in their possession during searches. The commission accused the group of extorting members of the public in exchange for completing customs transactions.

It said a seizure report had been prepared under Decision No. 160 of 1983, which provides up to 10 years in prison and fines for public employees who request or accept money for performing, delaying or violating their duties, and that the suspects had been brought before an investigative judge.