Former Iraqi minister says he is cooperating with judiciary over corruption files

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Former Iraqi minister Ahmed al-Asadi said in an audio recording released late on Tuesday that he is fully cooperating with the judiciary on files involving suspected corruption. Al-Asadi said the corruption allegations arose because of actions taken by a person close to him while he was abroad for medical treatment, and that the relevant authorities had initiated the necessary procedures. In the recording, al-Asadi said he had chosen to remain silent to preserve the integrity of the investigations despite what he described as a campaign directed against him, and that he had opened all of his files to review by the competent authorities. He rejected claims by members of parliament that he was facing an arrest effort, saying no warrant had been issued against him and that he was not on a wanted list. Al-Asadi also defended his finances, saying the funds identified as belonging to him were legal and properly documented, and that the figures cited in public discussion overstated the reality. No further details were immediately available on the specific cases under review or the timeline of the judiciary’s actions.