Investigators seize cash and 40 gold bars in Iraq oil corruption case

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council said Wednesday night that investigators had seized 13 billion dinars (about $9.8 million at the official rate) and $400,000 in cash, along with 40 gold bars, in the continuing investigation into detained former Deputy Oil Minister for Refining Affairs Adnan al-Jumaili.

Diaa Jaafar, chief judge of the Second Karkh Investigation Court, which specializes in integrity and money laundering cases, said the cash was found hidden at several locations in Salah al-Din governorate. Investigators also seized the gold bars, each weighing one kilogram, and five kilograms of gold jewelry. Jaafar said the investigation is continuing as authorities trace the proceeds of the alleged crime and identify others involved.

The seizure is the latest in a series in the case. Last Thursday, investigators recovered 25 billion dinars (about $18.9 million at the official rate), $200,000 and four kilograms of gold jewelry. Earlier, authorities recovered 358 kilograms of gold through coordination with Kurdistan Region officials, with another 17 kilograms from a separate operation, bringing the amount transferred to the Central Bank of Iraq that day to 375 kilograms.

Jumaili was dismissed in late May and arrested in Salah al-Din governorate over alleged commissions and misuse of public funds through oil refining contracts. He previously headed the state-owned North Oil Company and North Refineries Company.

Leaders of the Coordination Framework have pledged support for the government’s anti-corruption campaign and told Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi there are “no red lines” protecting anyone accused of corruption, he said Wednesday. The Prime Minister’s Media Office published remarks from Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting in which Zaidi described a recent meeting with the Shiite alliance that forms the backbone of the governing coalition. Its leaders told him, “We have no red lines or yellow lines before any corrupt person. Even if the corrupt individual is affiliated with us, we prefer that you begin with those around us if there are suspicions of corruption,” he said.

A wider operation announced June 28 led to the detention of dozens of current and former officials, political figures and businesspeople. State media reported that more than 15 names disclosed at the time were part of a group of 47 suspects.