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Iraqi Authorities Seize Over 825 Pounds of Gold and $120 Million in Anti-Corruption Operations
Operations linked to a former oil minister's May arrest yielded more than 825 pounds of gold and over $96 million in funds plus assets. At least 21 people were detained, including officials and parliament members. Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi discussed the effort during a July 14 meeting with President Trump.
Jul 14, 5:16 PM·1m read1 source
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Iraqi authorities seized more than 825 pounds of gold and tens of millions of dollars in cash during anti-corruption operations that produced at least 21 arrests, including dozens of government officials and several former and current members of parliament.
The actions are tied to the May arrest of former deputy oil minister Adnan Al-Jumaili on corruption suspicions. An investigative judge at the Central Anti-Corruption Court, Diaa Jaafar, said 790 pounds of gold were recovered in one operation and 37 pounds in another, with all the gold returned to Iraq's central bank.
Last Thursday, officials found Iraqi dinar worth $10.6 million in a rainwater drainage pit during an operation connected to the oil ministry. Government spokesperson Haider al-Aboudi stated that total funds seized in the Al-Jumaili case exceeded $96 million, with another $24 million recovered in real estate, vehicles and gold.
Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi, who took office in May, met with President Trump in the Oval Office on July 14.
The two discussed investment opportunities for American companies in Iraqi infrastructure and energy, Iraq's plan to disarm Iran-backed militias by September 21, and the complete withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq by September 30. " Al-Aboudi added that Iraq has prepared legal documents to extradite several hundred suspects living abroad.
