Amiri and deputy speaker add backing to anti-corruption campaign

BAGHDAD — Badr Organization leader Hadi al-Amiri and First Deputy Parliament Speaker Adnan Fayhan voiced support on Monday for the government’s anti-corruption campaign, backing the work of the Federal Integrity Commission and the judiciary to recover what they called looted public funds.

The two met to discuss recent political developments and stressed their support for the campaign, according to a statement from Fayhan’s office, which said they backed efforts to combat corruption, recover stolen money and protect public resources.

The statement was the latest in a run of endorsements from senior figures since the operation began. Earlier Monday, Shiite National Movement leader Muqtada al-Sadr backed the campaign as a “heroic reform campaign” and called on supporters to rally peacefully after Friday prayers, and Hikma Movement leader Ammar al-Hakim urged parties, civil society and the media to get behind it “free from any political or factional considerations.”

The endorsements followed Sunday’s operation, in which authorities said dozens of current and former officials were arrested in what the government has called the first phase of a wider campaign. State media said the arrests were based on confessions by detained Deputy Oil Minister Adnan al-Jumaili, who was held earlier this month over alleged financial irregularities in the oil sector. The Supreme Judicial Council said last week that assets seized in the investigation had reached more than 98 billion Iraqi dinars and $11 million.