**Iraq Seizes 375kg of Gold in Major Anti-Corruption Crackdown**
*Baghdad, Iraq – July 13, 2026* – In a significant development in Iraq's ongoing battle against corruption, the Supreme Judicial Council announced the recovery of 375 kilograms of gold linked to a high-profile investigation involving the former Deputy Minister of Oil for Refining Affairs, Adnan Al Jumaili. The announcement follows Al Jumaili's arrest last month on suspicion of corruption, marking a pivotal moment in the government's anti-corruption efforts.
Judge Dhia Jafar of the Central Anti-Corruption Criminal Court reported that 358 kilograms of the gold were recovered in a coordinated operation with the Kurdistan regional authorities, overseen by Faiq Zidan, President of the Supreme Judicial Council. An additional 17 kilograms were seized in a separate investigation on the same day, although details of this operation remain undisclosed.
The recovered gold has been transferred to the Central Bank of Iraq’s Issue and Treasury Department as authorities work to trace illicitly acquired assets. This seizure is part of a broader initiative to combat corruption that has intensified since Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi took office in May 2026. Under his leadership, law enforcement has arrested several senior officials and uncovered over $100 million in missing funds, alongside other valuable assets.
The investigation into Al Jumaili, who was detained in May and officially dismissed from his position on June 2, is focused on activities dating back to October 2025. Allegations suggest that he exploited state resources and government contracts for personal gain, receiving kickbacks in return.
In a recent development, authorities discovered 14 billion Iraqi dinars (approximately $10.6 million) hidden in a rainwater drainage pit, further illustrating the extent of the corruption being investigated. According to Iraqi government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi, the total funds tracked in Al Jumaili's case alone exceed 127 billion dinars (around $96 million), in addition to $24 million in cash, real estate, vehicles, and gold jewelry.
The investigations are part of a larger government initiative known as “Operation Dawn,” which aims to locate and recover missing or misappropriated state funds. This operation has led to the detention of various assets and suspects, including members of parliament, whose political immunity has been lifted to facilitate prosecution.
Al-Aboudi emphasized that the anti-corruption campaign adheres to strict judicial procedures, stating, “We deal with suspects in corruption cases and using the phrase ‘political level’ might not be accurate.” He noted that public sentiment in Iraq is increasingly focused on holding accountable those who have mismanaged public funds.
Prime Minister al-Zaidi has reiterated his commitment to pursuing individuals who abuse state resources, as reported by the Iraqi News Agency. The Iraqi Integrity Commission is actively preparing legal files to extradite hundreds of suspects currently residing abroad and to recover any smuggled assets. Al-Aboudi confirmed that the commission has issued a “red notice” to countries that have cooperation protocols with Iraq, aiming to repatriate wanted criminals and their assets.
As the anti-corruption campaign continues to unfold, the Iraqi government faces mounting pressure from the public to ensure accountability and transparency in governance. The recovery of the gold and the ongoing investigations signal a determined effort to address corruption in Iraq, a challenge that has plagued the nation for years.