Court seizes $10.6 million more in oil ministry graft case

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Central Criminal Court for Combating Corruption has seized an additional 14 billion dinars (about $10.6 million at the official rate) in the case against detained former Deputy Oil Minister for Refining Affairs Adnan al-Jumaili, with investigators saying the cash was concealed inside a pit built for rainwater drainage.

The Judicial Council said Thursday that the court had seized the sum in the case involving Jumaili, described as the detained defendant, “and the parties involved with him.”

The investigating judge said the discovery followed continued efforts to trace financial proceeds allegedly generated through waste in projects carried out by Jumaili and others connected to the case. He said the money had been hidden “in one of the pits prepared for rainwater drainage,” adding that “the investigations are ongoing to reach all those involved.”

The latest seizure adds to a series of discoveries since Jumaili was dismissed from his post at the end of May and arrested in Salah al-Din governorate on allegations of receiving large commissions and wasting public funds through oil refining contracts.

Earlier judicial investigations and searches uncovered more than $121 million in cash, which authorities said had been stored inside plastic water bottles buried at Jumaili’s home in Tikrit.

Authorities say they have also seized more than 40 luxury properties registered in Jumaili’s name and in the names of people close to him, along with kilograms of gold, luxury vehicles and unlicensed weapons.

The investigation has expanded beyond Jumaili, with judicial authorities saying statements obtained during the case led to the arrests of senior officials, members of parliament and business figures as investigators pursued what they describe as a broader network involved in oil contracts and money laundering inside and outside Iraq.

The investigating judge said authorities continue to trace assets and identify everyone connected to the case.

Jumaili served as Iraq’s deputy oil minister for refining affairs after previously leading North Oil Company and North Refineries Company. He was dismissed in late May and arrested in Salah al-Din governorate on allegations of receiving large commissions and wasting public funds through oil refining contracts.