Iraq: Former governor Saladin arrested for embezzlement of public funds

Ahmed al-Jubouri, former governor of Saladin province and secretary general of a party in the ruling coalition, was arrested Saturday in Baghdad as part of the anti-corruption campaign led by the Iraqi government.

The arrest of Ahmed al-Jubouri, also known as Abu Mazen, has been confirmed by several Iraqi media outlets. A senior government official told the Iraqi News Agency that the former politician is suspected of embezzling funds related to contracts awarded in Saladin province. The exact amount of the embezzled funds has not been disclosed.

Al-Jubouri headed Saladin Province between 2013 and 2014, before serving as Minister of State for Provincial Affairs from 2014 to 2015. He is currently the Secretary General of the National Mass Party, which holds three seats in the Iraqi Parliament and is part of the governing coalition. Neither he nor his associates have publicly responded to the accusations against him. However, the party posted a photo of him on Facebook with the caption: "You can be proud of what you have done for the sick and the poor."

A businessman described as a close associate of al-Jubouri, Mohammed al-Hajaf, was arrested simultaneously in Saladin province on the same charges.

These arrests come days after the State Administration Coalition, which brings together parties supporting the government, reaffirmed its commitment to continuing the fight against corruption and supporting the efforts of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi. He took office earlier this year under increasing pressure from Washington, which is demanding that Baghdad tackle corruption and disarm pro-Iranian armed groups that have targeted American facilities in Iraq.

The legal proceedings accelerated in June when security forces arrested 47 political figures, parliamentarians, and senior officials, leading to the seizure of tens of millions of dollars. Al-Jubouri had already been arrested in November 2019 after his parliamentary immunity was lifted, in a case related to the construction of student residences at the University of Tikrit. He was then released on bail, according to local media.