Iraq arrests former Wasit governor over deadly Kut hypermarket fire

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi security forces have detained former Wasit Governor and lawmaker Mohammed Jamil al-Mayahi under an arrest warrant, reopening the case file on a hypermarket fire in Kut last year that killed between 69 and 77 people, officials said. Al-Mayahi was taken into custody in Kut, a city in southeastern Iraq, after security forces raided his home and a hall registered in his name. The arrest is part of a broader investigation into corruption allegations and alleged misuse of public funds, including investment projects, state contracts, loan programs, land allocations, real estate development and the Zurbatiyah border crossing project in Wasit province. The former governor had previously spoken publicly about combating corruption, and footage of those remarks circulated widely on social media following his arrest. He also served as a member of Iraq's parliament. The office of former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani had approved the findings of an investigation committee into the Kut fire and initiated legal and administrative proceedings against several officials. No further details on al-Mayahi's case were immediately available.