After 24 hours, the anti-corruption campaign in Iraq raises its tally to 67 detainees.
A security source revealed on Monday that the number of detainees in the anti-corruption campaign launched by the Iraqi authorities had risen to 67 during the first 24 hours.
The source told Shafaq News Agency that among those arrested were politicians, members of parliament, and employees, who were detained on charges related to financial corruption, squandering of public funds, and illicit enrichment.
He added that a large number of wanted people were able to escape or hide inside the country, but that strict security measures prevented any of them from leaving Iraq.
This tally comes about 24 hours after the start of one of the largest campaigns to pursue those accused of corruption in Iraq in years, which has targeted deputies, politicians, officials, employees and business owners, in conjunction with tightened security measures in Baghdad and other provinces.
An informed source revealed to Shafaq News Agency on Sunday that the campaign, in its first phase, targets more than 200 figures within 72 hours, as part of a broader six-month campaign to combat corruption and recover public funds.
The source explained at the time that the campaign included senior officials, party leaders, political forces, former and current agents, and business owners, some of whom were suspected of acting as fronts for money laundering or passing on illicit contracts and benefits.
The campaign coincided with the deployment of special forces and the counter-terrorism unit inside the Green Zone in central Baghdad, the closure of a number of its entrances and the imposition of strict inspection procedures, while the competent authorities confirmed that the execution of arrest warrants is carried out under the supervision of the judiciary and in accordance with legal procedures.
In his first comment on the campaign, Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi said that what happened represents a first stage, stressing that the government will continue to fight corruption and recover public funds, and that it is tasked with protecting the interests of the Iraqi people, “and there will be no leniency in this responsibility.”
Al-Zaydi added that the situation “has become impossible to remain silent about, and that there are strong guardians of public funds.”
Al-Zaydi tasked the oversight bodies with receiving any indicators related to government performance or the performance of ministries, in order to uncover cases of corruption or negligence, noting that Iraq has gone through periods of wars, chaos and fighting terrorism, and that the government’s path today is based on strengthening the power of the state and its monopoly on force and weapons, and not allowing corrupt individuals to be within the body of the state with the aim of stealing public money.
Shafaq.com