Iraq Arrests Senior Politicians in Major Anti-Corruption Sweep in Baghdad

Iraqi authorities conducted a large-scale arrest operation overnight in Baghdad targeting politicians suspected of corruption, according to Arab media reports. Security forces with armored vehicles raided the Green Zone, the area housing Iraq's government institutions and residences of senior politicians. Among those detained was Muthanna al-Samarrai, a prominent Sunni politician and leader of the Iraqi "Al-Azim" party. The arrests followed arrest warrants issued by an anti-corruption court judge and included several members of parliament as well as businessmen.

Last week, Iraq's judiciary announced the seizure of over $85 million linked to a corruption case in Salah al-Din province in northern Iraq. The Supreme Judicial Council explained that investigations into embezzlement in various projects led to the confiscation of cash exceeding 67 billion Iraqi dinars and $1 million. Much of the money was hidden in private homes or buried four meters underground. The total seized amounted to 98 billion dinars and $11 million, surpassing the initially reported $85 million.

This crackdown is part of ongoing efforts by Iraqi authorities to combat entrenched political corruption, with the judiciary actively pursuing high-profile suspects and recovering illicit funds. Further legal proceedings are expected as investigations continue.