Iraq arrests four warehouse officials over copper theft at Diwaniya factory

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Federal Commission of Integrity has detained four warehouse supervisors in connection with the theft of tons of copper materials from a state-run textile factory in Diwaniya, the commission said in a written statement. The operation targeted the spare-parts warehouse of the Diwaniya Textile Factory, which falls under the Ministry of Industry and Minerals. The commission's investigation office in Diwaniya launched an inquiry after receiving information that copper materials had been stolen from the depot. Following a review of administrative orders and the required judicial approvals, arrest warrants were issued by the judge handling corruption cases at the Diwaniya Court of Investigation. A commission team carried out the warrants and took the four suspects into custody, along with initial documents and records related to the case. The detainees were presented before the competent investigating judge in Diwaniya, who ordered their detention under Article 315 of the Iraqi Penal Code. No further details on the value of the stolen copper or the timeline of the investigation were immediately available.