Iraq jails two state power officials for six years in bribery case

BAGHDAD —Iraq’s Central Anti-Corruption Criminal Court sentenced the director general of the state-owned General Company for Electric Power Production in the Middle Euphrates and his office director to six years in prison over bribery, according to a judiciary statement issued Wednesday.

The judiciary issued the statement two days after the ruling was handed down and announced. The statement said the two received money as bribes in exchange for releasing financial payments owed to a company contracted by the General Company for Electric Power Production.

The sentences come amid a wider campaign that has widened since the arrest of former Deputy Oil Minister Adnan al-Jumaili in May. Successive searches have produced cash, gold and property, including more than $121 million said to have been found buried in plastic water containers at his home in Tikrit. Recoveries in that case now total about 82 billion dinars and $152 million in cash along with 484 kilograms of gold.

Iraq’s electricity sector continue to face crisis. The ministry aimed in April to generate 30,000 MW at peak against projected demand of 55,000 to 60,000 MW; generation has since fallen to about 21,000 MW.

Protests have spread across the country. At least 52 members of the security forces were wounded in clashes in Kut that ran from the evening of Aug. 10 into the following morning, with dozens of protesters also believed hurt and no count available. Residents of Basra, Najaf and Wasit have protested for longer supply hours, blocking roads and clashing with security forces.