Khaberni - More than 4 years ago, Iraqis were monitoring the developments of what was known as "the theft of the century", a case linked to businessman Noor Zuheir involving the embezzlement of about 2.5 billion dollars from tax trust funds, which is one of the largest corruption cases in the modern history of Iraq.
This case formed a pivotal station in the ongoing debate about the extent of corruption accumulated within state institutions, mechanisms of oversight and accountability, and the authorities' ability to recover embezzled funds and hold the perpetrators accountable.
As the repercussions of the "corruption" file continue, a new corruption case has returned to dominate the Iraqi scene, this time from within the oil sector, the country's most important economic artery.
The Iraqi judiciary authorities have announced the seizure of tens of millions of dollars, billions of dinars, real estate, and properties linked to the detained Deputy Minister of Oil for Refining Affairs, Adnan Al-Jamili, in a case that may be among the largest corruption files uncovered by Baghdad in recent years.
The case has brought back questions regarding the extent of corruption within government institutions and the state's ability to dismantle its networks and pursue those involved.
Al-Jamili, Deputy Minister of Oil for Refining Affairs and former director of North Refineries and Baiji Refinery, in the Al-Ishaqi area of Salah al-Din province, was arrested on May 30 on corruption charges.
Funds buried underground
The judiciary authorities announced the seizure of tens of millions of dollars and billions of Iraqi dinars, along with extensive real estate and properties, in one of the largest illegal money recovery operations in recent years.
The Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq announced that ongoing investigations in the case resulted in the seizure of more than 85 million dollars in cash, in addition to large amounts in Iraqi dinars exceeding 98 billion dinars, along with the confiscation of dozens of properties, vehicles, and gold jewelry.
According to official data, investigators found part of the funds within homes and various locations, while other amounts were discovered buried four meters underground at a farm, necessitating the use of specialized equipment to retrieve them.
The authorities also announced thwarting a smuggling attempt of about 5 billion Iraqi dinars, and seizing nearly 20 billion dinars in a separate operation related to the case.
According to the Iraqi judiciary, seizure measures also included: (70 properties, 21 modern vehicles, about 3 kilograms of gold, and other financial assets and balances still being assessed and audited).
The case stems from investigations conducted by competent authorities regarding suspicions of waste and mismanagement in projects linked to the oil refining sector, files believed to have caused significant financial losses to the Iraqi state.
The investigations led to the detention of the Deputy Minister of Oil for Refining Affairs, Adnan Al-Jamili, along with other officials and parties suspected of involvement in corruption, money laundering, and abuse of office.
The authorities confirm that investigations are still ongoing to identify all those involved and to pursue the funds and assets linked to the case both within Iraq and abroad.
Amid the confessions of Al-Jamili, the authorities announced yesterday the arrest of the former governor of Salah al-Din and the current Director General of the Salah al-Din Health Department, Raed Al-Jubouri.
Two new cases have emerged in the file of combating corruption in Iraq, following the announcement by MP Alaa Al-Haidari of the arrest of the director of Iraqi Airways, Manaf Abdel Moneim, on charges of embezzling more than 115 billion dinars, expecting that investigations will reach other accused during the coming period.
In another file, independent MP Ali Anheir Al-Sarai confirmed his continued regulatory efforts to uncover corruption files despite what he described as campaigns of targeting and defamation, noting that he is following the file of purchasing "MAN" vehicles worth about 462 billion dinars, which was halted by a judicial decision due to suspicions of violations and corruption.
Member of the Integrity Committee in the House of Representatives, Abbas Hayal, stated that combating corruption is a priority that cannot be neglected, confirming that this phenomenon threatens all state institutions and requires decisive measures that include various sectors without exception, including civilian and military ones.
Hayal explained that some cases of corruption are linked to the quota system and political interventions, calling for enhancing pre-contract control and activating the role of the Financial Control Bureau to prevent waste before it happens, not after.
He added that the success of any campaign to combat corruption requires protecting the honest employee from pressures, while at the same time being lenient with the perpetrators, with an emphasis on the need to comply with legal procedures and avoid generalization or defamation, ensuring the protection of public money and the integrity of the state.
He continued that some of those involved in corruption believe they are protected by political or influential powers, which has encouraged the prevalence of financial and administrative violations, affirming at the same time that this does not include all those who have held positions, as there are those who maintained their integrity even after leaving their job positions or retiring.
This case comes at a time when the new Iraqi government has pledged to combat corruption as one of the biggest challenges facing the country.
Iraqi economic expert Maan Jassim Al-Zubaidi says the amount of money seized "reflects the presence of more organized corruption networks than individual cases", adding that the case represents a real test of the state's ability to move from uncovering corruption files to the stage of recovering the money and issuing final judicial rulings.
Al-Zubaidi believes that the success of the authorities in tracking the assets and properties associated with the case might encourage the opening of other files that have been frozen for years."
He believes that the importance of the case lies not only in the amount of money seized but in the job level of the main accused, noting that the Iraqi public has been accustomed in recent years to holding accountable junior officials and employees, while many files related to senior officials remained unresolved.
He adds that "the real measure of the success of the current campaign will be its ability to reach all those involved regardless of their political or party positions."
Economic and political impact
Al-Zubaidi confirms that the continuation of corruption cases of this magnitude directly affects the investment environment and the confidence of international financial institutions in the Iraqi economy.
This matter gains additional importance after the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) announced once again placing Iraq on the "grey list" of countries under enhanced monitoring in files related to combating money laundering and terrorist financing, which imposes additional pressure on Baghdad to enhance transparency and financial oversight.
He believes that uncovering this case may carry two contradictory messages; on one hand, it confirms the continuation of high levels of corruption within some institutions, and on the other hand, it reflects the judicial and regulatory authorities' ability to uncover complex files and pursue illegitimate money.
Does the case represent a turning point?
Although there is widespread public support for the judicial measures, observers warn that the success of anti-corruption efforts should not be measured only by the amount of money seized but by the state's ability to recover stolen funds, issue deterrent judicial rulings, and prevent the recurrence of such cases through institutional and structural reforms.
With investigations continuing and the Iraqi judiciary announcing that the pursuit of the involved parties is still ongoing, Adnan Al-Jamili's case remains one of the most prominent corruption cases in modern Iraqi history, and it could turn into a pivotal station in the fight against corruption if it leads to comprehensive accountability and actual recovery of public funds.
On his part, Iraqi researcher and political analyst Abbas Al-Asadi believes that "what we witness today of continuous announcements about corruption files and judicial actions against officials and employees can be read from two different angles; either it reflects a genuine and serious orientation to fight corruption and pursue those involved, or it represents part of a gradual process of preparing public opinion to receive larger and more sensitive files in the upcoming phase."
He says, "When news of corruption is repeated daily and society becomes accustomed to scenes of arrests and the disclosure of seized money and properties, the shock element gradually subsides, making dealing with larger cases and more influential names less impactful on public opinion compared to if presented suddenly."
Asadi, who is close to political forces, added, "Naturally, this remains just a question and a possible analysis, and is not based on confirmed information or data."
He continued, "The most important question remains: Will anti-corruption campaigns reach all those involved without exception, regardless of their positions and influence? Or is what is revealed today just part of larger files that may emerge sequentially during the upcoming period?"
Asadi points out that "in all cases, the success of any effort to combat corruption is measured by its comprehensiveness, fairness, and continuity without selectivity or exception."
What did the government say?
On the other hand, the Prime Minister of Iraq, Ali Al-Zaidi, informed the political forces, including the ruling Shia framework that nominated him, that he "will not spare the corrupt, no matter who they are and to which political party they belong."
Sources close to Al-Zaidi's office stated that the Prime Minister sent a firm message to various political forces, emphasizing that the government is proceeding with its actions against the corrupt "regardless of their positions and political affiliations."
According to the sources, the Prime Minister informed several political leaders, including parties within the Coordination Framework, which had nominated him to head the government, that "there is no immunity for anyone involved in corruption cases," stressing that the current phase requires strict measures to restore public confidence and combat financial waste.
The sources added that this stance comes in the context of escalating political and public debate around major corruption cases under investigation, amid demands to expand the circle of accountability and not limit it to specific personalities or entities.
They concluded that Al-Zaidi affirmed to the political forces in separate meetings that real reform begins when all institutions are subject to standards of oversight and accountability, and when the law is applied comprehensively to everyone without exception, as it is the fundamental guarantee for protecting the state and its institutions.
Circulation of an old video clip
Media reviews and follow-ups have shown that the recently circulated video clip on social media platforms, attributed to the oil official Ayad Hussein Jawhar (Director of Projects at the Ministry of Oil) and the employee Lena Raad Mohsen (Financial Section Manager at the Northern Projects Authority), does not date back to the present period, but was circulated previously in past years.
According to the information circulated, the clip dates back to an earlier period related to the work of the Iraqi Ministry of Oil and is not a recent event as suggested by some posts that republished it during the recent days.
The information available indicates that the file dates back to an earlier era that saw the succession of several officials managing the ministry, while no new official statements have yet been issued confirming the existence of judicial or administrative developments related to the circulated video.
The renewed circulation of the video coincides with the rising public and media interest in corruption files and the ongoing investigations in several government institutions, which has revived discussions about some issues that were raised in previous years.
