Iraq uncovers new multi-billion dinar corruption case in electricity sector
Iraq’s anti-corruption commission has arrested the former head of Muthanna electricity distribution and 12 others over a 6 billion dinar public funds case.
Key Takeaways
AIIraq’s Integrity Commission has announced the arrest of the former director of Muthanna Electricity Distribution and 12 other suspects in a case involving damage to public funds exceeding 6 billion dinars.
In an official statement, the commission said its field team in the Muthanna Investigation Office, after investigation and inspection at the General Company for Southern Electricity Distribution’s Muthanna branch and the main maintenance center, detected a waste of 6.15 billion dinars. The commission explained that the electricity distribution department in the province purchased electrical materials worth this amount without actual need.
According to the statement, the commission added that in 2024, the former director, along with other suspects, purchased quantities of electrical materials after manipulating measurement units and purchase requests to conceal the transactions and acquire as many boards as possible. A large portion of these items remains unused and has not been installed to date. The commission noted that 48 power plant improvement boards purchased and entered into inventory were stored as consumed materials. The items stored in the warehouses were seized, along with the original financial documents for the purchase of the double panel material.
The commission continued that the judge of the Muthanna Integrity Investigation Court ordered the detention of the former director and 12 employees, including former directors of accounts and sales, heads of internal audit, stations, and consumables warehouse, as well as members of the procurement committee, under Article 340 of the Penal Code. Arrest and search warrants were also issued for three other employees, including a former director of accounts, and all suspects have been banned from travel for deliberately causing harm to the funds and interests of their institution.