Interpol Issues Arrest Warrants for Suspects in Iraq Refinery Corruption Case

BAGHDAD, Iraq — An Iraqi court has sought Interpol arrest warrants for suspects in a corruption investigation linked to projects at North Refineries Company, including the former deputy petroleum minister. The case targets Mohammed Abdullah and Hasan Abdullah al-Najjar over a pipeline-laying project at the Qayyarah Refinery. Technical evaluations found the project's actual cost did not exceed 1 billion dinars, while the contract was set at approximately 15 billion dinars. Investigators are also examining the former Deputy Petroleum Minister Adnan al-Janabi as part of the broader case. Other suspects face arrest warrants, travel bans and asset seizures as the probe continues. The investigation is part of wider efforts by Iraqi authorities to address corruption in the petroleum sector. No further details were immediately available.