Bribe Allegation Iraqi PM Adviser: An Iraqi Prime Minister’s aide, Abdel Karim al-Faisal, is under investigation for a leaked audio recording where he allegedly discussed a $1 million bribe, calling it insufficient.
Corruption in Iraq: Corruption is widespread within Iraq’s state institutions, particularly in its oil sector, but top officials often avoid accountability.
Investigation: The Prime Minister’s office has instructed the Integrity Commission to investigate, with cooperation from a criminal court judge overseeing anti-corruption cases.
Recent Corruption Leaks: Several corruption-related audio leaks have surfaced, leading to suspensions and detentions, including that of tax office head Ali Alawi.
High-Profile Cases: Iraq has seen significant corruption cases, including the $2.5 billion embezzlement scandal (2021–2022), with investigations into businessmen and former officials.
Iraq’s anti-corruption agency has launched an investigation into Abdel Karim al-Faisal, a prime ministerial aide, following a leaked audio recording in which he reportedly complained that a $1 million bribe was insufficient. Corruption remains rampant in Iraq, particularly within state institutions, though high-ranking officials often avoid scrutiny. Faisal denied the allegations, calling the recording false. The investigation was initiated by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, with judicial cooperation. This follows a series of corruption-related leaks, including the suspension of Iraq’s tax office head and an ongoing probe into a $2.5 billion embezzlement case from 2021–2022.
Iraqi PM Adviser Bribe $1M Involved
On Monday, Iraq’s anti-corruption agency revealed an investigation concerning a prime ministerial aide connected to an alleged audio recording where he mentioned a bribe as being insufficient.
Corruption is pervasive within the state institutions of oil-wealthy Iraq, yet the highest levels of authority frequently escape responsibility.
The assistant, Abdel Karim al-Faisal, refuted the allegation and condemned the “false” audio recording on Facebook.
In a recording acquired by Iraqi media, a man identified as Faisal reproached his conversation partner, during a phone call, for the bribe being “merely $1 million.”
The Integrity Commission’s anti-corruption agency stated that it was proceeding based on an instruction from Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to initiate “an investigation into an audio recording linked to the leader of the Prime Minister’s Advisory Commission”.
It stated that it was operating “in collaboration with a criminal court judge overseeing anti-corruption cases”.
Recent weeks
In recent weeks, numerous leaks of purported recordings have unsettled Iraq.
Last month, the head of the tax office, Ali Alawi, was placed on a 60-day suspension due to an inquiry initiated after this leak. An audio tape linked to him resulted in allegations that he had provided tax cuts.
A source from the Commission of Integrity informed , speaking on condition of anonymity, that he was also put in detention.
The previous leader of the integrity commission was dismissed, but later received a consulting role at the justice ministry.
This followed after judicial officials in September revealed an investigation into the integrity commission head concerning purported audio recordings linked to him and connected to alleged bribery.
In Iraq, it’s common for public officials to resolve personal grievances by exchanging accusations.
One of the largest corruption cases in the country’s history included the embezzlement of $2.5 billion in public funds between 2021 and 2022.
At the close of August, the judiciary released arrest warrants for a businessman believed to be the primary suspect in that case, along with a former government official.
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