Diwaniyah provincial council accountant arrested on bribery, embezzlement charges

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The Diwaniyah provincial council announced on Sunday that the accountant responsible for financial accounts at a non-foreign-affairs local government unit was arrested on charges of bribery and embezzlement. The council said a joint security force composed of the Tanna Intelligence Cell, SWAT units and the Qadisiyah Investigation Office carried out the operation that led to his detention. According to the council's statement, several other employees were also detained in connection with separate offenses that caused public financial harm. The council said those arrested are accused of bribery, embezzlement and the misuse of public funds. The corruption investigation in Diwaniyah has focused on financial operations within the local administration, according to the council statement. The involvement of multiple security units in the operation indicates that the inquiry extends beyond an ordinary audit. No further details about the detained employees or the next stages of the investigation were immediately available.