BAGHDAD — Iraqi security forces arrested dozens of political figures, including sitting lawmakers and senior government officials, during a series of overnight raids in Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone as authorities expanded one of the country’s largest anti-corruption investigations in years.
State-run Iraqi media reported that 47 people have been arrested in connection with the investigation, including 12 current members of parliament, a former lawmaker, a former adviser to ex-Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and a senior Oil Ministry official.
The operation marks a dramatic escalation in Iraq’s campaign against entrenched government corruption and is expected to reshape the country’s already fractured political landscape.
Raids Follow High-Profile Corruption Probe
The latest arrests stem from an investigation launched after the detention of former Deputy Oil Minister Adnan al-Jumaili last month.
Investigators said evidence gathered during that case led authorities to additional suspects allegedly involved in exploiting state resources and government contracts for political and personal gain.
Earlier raids tied to the investigation uncovered millions of dollars in cash, gold, dozens of properties, and a large cache of firearms and ammunition, making it one of Iraq’s most significant corruption cases in recent years.
Election Spending Under Investigation
Diaa Jaafar, the investigative judge overseeing Iraq’s Central Anti-Corruption Criminal Court, said the investigation began after authorities received reports that political candidates had spent extraordinary sums on election campaigns while allegedly misusing government resources.
According to Jaafar, investigators found evidence suggesting some lawmakers benefited directly or indirectly from government contracts while obtaining commissions and other personal advantages.
The specific criminal charges against those arrested have not yet been publicly disclosed.
Parliamentary Immunity Lifted
Officials said Parliament Speaker Haibet Al-Halbousi lifted the immunity of lawmakers named in the investigation before arrest warrants were executed.
Some of those detained belong to the Shiite political bloc of former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, while others are members of the influential Sunni Azm Alliance.
The cross-party nature of the arrests underscores the broad scope of the investigation.
New Government Pushes Anti-Corruption Agenda
The crackdown comes as Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s government seeks to demonstrate a tougher approach to corruption, an issue that has dominated Iraqi politics for decades.
Since taking office, al-Zaidi has pledged to strengthen oversight of government contracts, pursue high-level corruption cases and recover public assets allegedly lost through fraud and embezzlement.
Analysts say the campaign represents one of the most aggressive efforts in recent memory to target senior political figures rather than lower-level bureaucrats.
Political Fallout Expected
Corruption has long been one of Iraq’s most persistent challenges, with allegations frequently intertwined with political rivalries, patronage networks and competition for influence.
The arrests are expected to reverberate throughout Iraq’s parliament and could alter alliances formed after last year’s elections as prosecutors continue expanding the investigation.
Authorities have not indicated whether additional arrests are expected, but officials say the investigation remains active.
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