Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraq’s Federal Commission of Integrity confirmed on Sunday the seizure of a significant amount of money and gold from different houses belonging to Khalid Ghazai Attiya, the Deputy Electricity Minister for Transmission and Distribution Affairs.
While initial estimates put the total amount at over nine billion Iraqi dinars (around $7 million), the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported that 1.17 billion Iraqi dinars, $5.83 million, seven gold bars, and different gold jewelry pieces had been seized.
The operation and following searches by the Baghdad Investigation Directorate took place shortly after Iraqi authorities issued a formal arrest warrant for Attiya.
Attiya is facing intense investigations involving administrative corruption, financial fraud, and illegal gain.
The Federal Commission of Integrity prepared an official seizure report and sent over all seized cash, gold, and discovered documents to the investigating judge to support ongoing legal actions.
This operation is part of a countrywide anti-graft campaign led by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s government.
The campaign, known as “Operation Dawn,” aims to expose deeply rooted financial corruption among Iraq’s crucial ministries.
Just hours before Attiya’s funds were discovered, the Iraqi judiciary stated that it had recovered an additional $20 million in cash, 60 kilograms of gold, and luxurious vehicles related to the corruption case of detained Deputy Oil Minister Adnan al-Jumaili.