Iraq issues arrest warrants for 21 officials for graft charges

BAGHDAD

Iraqi authorities issued 21 arrest warrants last month for high-ranking state officials over corruption charges, the Iraqi Integrity Commission said on Wednesday.

In a statement, the commission said 77 other officials were summoned as part of investigations into corruption accusations.

The statement said the list includes a current minister and former members of parliament, without giving any specific names.

Iraq is among the most corrupt countries in the world, according to the Transparency International index over the past years.

Iraq has been rocked by street protests since October 2019 over corruption and poor living conditions.

Last year, Iraqi President Barham Salih said that $150 billion had been smuggled outside Iraq since 2003.

*Writing by Bassel Barakat

BAGHDAD

Iraqi authorities issued 21 arrest warrants last month for high-ranking state officials over corruption charges, the Iraqi Integrity Commission said on Wednesday.

In a statement, the commission said 77 other officials were summoned as part of investigations into corruption accusations.

The statement said the list includes a current minister and former members of parliament, without giving any specific names.

Iraq is among the most corrupt countries in the world, according to the Transparency International index over the past years.

Iraq has been rocked by street protests since October 2019 over corruption and poor living conditions.

Last year, Iraqi President Barham Salih said that $150 billion had been smuggled outside Iraq since 2003.

*Writing by Bassel Barakat