Former Mosul mayor, ex-director detained over corruption probe in Nineveh

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A Nineveh province investigation into corruption has led to the detention of former Mosul mayor Abdulsattar al-Habbu and a former director of the city's industrial zones, who were placed in custody for seven days, authorities said. The period was later extended to July 9 by the primary investigative judge handling the case. The inquiry centers on the two former officials' approval of a tourist restaurant project on a plot of land designated as a public green area on Mosul's left bank, according to investigators. Officials said the land held public green-area status and that the construction was carried out in violation of the law. Both suspects were transferred to a designated detention facility while evidence is gathered. Investigators are expected to present the collected material and a final case file to the judicial authorities once the inquiry is complete. No further details on the wider scope of the probe were immediately available.