Second Sunni bloc leader arrested in anti-corruption campaign

BAGHDAD — Security forces arrested Ahmed al-Jubouri, leader of the National Masses Party, in Baghdad on Saturday over corruption allegations, a senior official told the Iraqi News Agency — the second leader of a Sunni political bloc detained in the campaign in two months.

Forces later moved against people close to Jubouri on the outskirts of Salah al-Din, the agency reported, arresting businessman Mohammed al-Hajaf, described as a close associate. The official said Hajaf’s arrest relates to allegations that he took control of funds from government contracts in the governorate.

Jubouri was governor of Salah al-Din from 2013 to 2014 and later served as minister of state for provincial affairs, a post since abolished. He has faced corruption allegations through his career. His party is also known as al-Jamaheer.

Muthanna al-Samarrai, who leads the Sunni Azm Alliance, was detained in June among the first group of 15 current and former officials and politicians arrested on what state media described as confessions by former Deputy Oil Minister Adnan al-Jumaili. The alliance called for respect for judicial procedures afterward, saying the case should be handled “within the framework of constitutional and legal guarantees” and not be prejudged or used in political disputes.

Jumaili was arrested in May and the inquiry has widened to officials, lawmakers and business figures accused of benefiting from government contracts, money laundering and misuse of public funds. Investigators have itemized recoveries of about 82 billion dinars and $131.6 million in cash along with 424 kilograms of gold, and courts have seized dozens of properties.

Authorities have not said whether the allegations against Jubouri are connected to the Jumaili investigation or arise from a separate case.