Baghdad Airport Lands Allegedly Transferred Improperly in Major Corruption Case

Azm Alliance lawmaker Iyad al-Jubouri said thousands of dunams around Baghdad International Airport were improperly transferred to an investment company, in what he described as a clear violation of the law and a seizure of citizens’ rights. He said he has submitted documents to the head of the Higher Judicial Council and the Federal Integrity Commission and called for the process to be halted and fully investigated. Al-Jubouri released official documents that he said prove the ownership of wide tracts of land around Baghdad International Airport were transferred to an investment company. He identified the recipient as Mustafa Baghdad, which he said was allocated 5,800 dunams for the construction of residential and commercial complexes. He said the allocation was carried out without the approval of the legal department of the National Investment Commission and by bypassing the one-stop-shop procedures required for strategic projects. He said the move violated the law and deprived citizens of their rights. Al-Jubouri warned that property belonging to citizens who have held legal rights for decades was being transferred to investors under projects that raise suspicions of corruption and collusion. He urged the authorities to stop the process immediately and open a comprehensive investigation.