Iraqi Judiciary Recovers 375 Kilograms of Gold in Major Corruption

Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council has announced the recovery of 375 kilograms of gold as part of ongoing investigations into a corruption case involving former Deputy Oil Minister for Refining Affairs Adnan Al-Jumaili, in what is considered one of the largest asset-recovery operations linked to corruption cases in the country in recent years.

The council said the operation was carried out under the direct supervision of the President of the Supreme Judicial Council and in coordination with the relevant authorities in the Kurdistan Region. The authorities recovered 358 kilograms of gold in the main case, while another 17 kilograms were seized in a separate investigation, bringing the total quantity secured during the day to 375 kilograms.

Judge Diaa Jaafar, the investigative judge at the Central Anti-Corruption Criminal Court, said all recovered quantities had been handed over to the Issuance and Vaults Department at the Central Bank of Iraq for safekeeping in accordance with legal procedures.

The move forms part of the Iraqi authorities’ broader efforts to recover funds and assets believed to have been generated through corruption-related crimes.

The latest development follows a series of measures taken by Iraqi authorities in recent days in connection with the same case. Officials had previously announced the seizure of 127 billion Iraqi dinars and $24 million, in addition to gold jewellery, properties and vehicles linked to the suspects.

Part of the money was reportedly discovered hidden inside plastic water containers at a house in Salah al-Din Governorate.

Observers said the recovery of such a large quantity of gold reflects a clear escalation in Iraq’s efforts to trace movable and immovable assets linked to corruption cases, particularly in strategic sectors such as oil, which remains the country’s main source of state revenue.

The Supreme Judicial Council said investigations were continuing to track down the remaining funds and assets connected to the case and to identify all those involved, ahead of completing the legal procedures and referring the suspects to court.

The case comes amid a wider campaign by the Iraqi authorities to combat corruption and recover misappropriated public funds.