Former Diwaniyah municipal directors detained in corruption probe

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Diwaniyah's provincial council has identified three former municipal directors and three contractors detained as part of an anti-corruption operation in the city. Council member Hassan Adnin al-Hilali said the campaign targeted former Diwaniyah municipality directors Ali Rahman, Hatif Suweyd and Ali Awad, who oversaw municipal projects. According to the council, contractors Fadhel al-Rimahi, Karrar al-Kazim and Enmar al-Diyani were also taken into custody. The provincial council has not released details on the number of additional suspects or the broader scope of the investigation. Hudhayr Sharif, head of the council's security committee, said authorities were pursuing the case and that the council was providing full support to the legal proceedings. He said the detentions were based on allegations of financial irregularities, inflated prices, unauthorized spending and the preparation of forged documents and lists. Sharif added that the investigation also covers alleged violations involving personnel responsible for supervising contractor work. No further details on the case were immediately available.