Diyala council denies land-grab allegations, blames 'land mafia'

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The Diyala Provincial Council issued a written statement rejecting accusations that security forces interfered with land allocations for wounded and martyr representatives, with council head Omar al-Kureyvi telling a press conference that the allegations were part of a coordinated campaign by a "land mafia." Al-Kureyvi alleged that some representatives of wounded and martyr groups purchased land documents intended for rightful beneficiaries at reduced prices through mediation and blackmail, and described them as a "land mafia." He said the groups, along with influential figures, were behind efforts to damage the council's reputation as it carries out oversight. Turki al-Attabi, head of the council's Anti-Corruption Commission, said records covering 760 land plots identified irregularities involving five representatives. According to al-Attabi, the violations included adding fake names to documents and buying land receipts from rightful owners at low prices. The commission said it has launched a review process to ensure land is distributed to the actual beneficiaries. No further details on the scope of the inquiry were immediately available.