Iraq anti-corruption body arrests 12 in Dhi Qar operations

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Federal Anti-Corruption Commission said 12 people were detained in four separate operations carried out in Dhi Qar province. A team from the commission's Dhi Qar Investigation Office carried out the operations. The raids targeted the Nasiriyah Municipality, the Tax Authority and the Second Land Registry Directorate, according to the commission. Investigators identified two municipal employees along with 10 people described as having pursued administrative procedures at the offices without official authorization, bringing the total to 12 suspects. The commission said the suspects were found to have carried out various administrative processes improperly and without official power of attorney. Searches at the offices yielded official files and documents linked to the unauthorized proceedings. The anti-corruption body said legal proceedings had been opened against the suspects and that the prepared records had been referred to an investigating judge for approval. It added that the full extent of the irregularities at the offices would be determined as the investigation proceeds. No further details were immediately available.