Iraq central bank freezes assets of 12 senior politicians amid corruption probe

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Central Bank has ordered the freeze of assets belonging to 12 senior politicians as part of a corruption investigation, according to an official directive. The bank instructed financial institutions to block movable and immovable property linked to the individuals, basing the move on official documents. The decision stems from a judicial ruling issued by the investigating judge of the Central Anti-Corruption Court, the bank said. Banks were told that any accounts identified in the names of those listed must be reported immediately to the relevant judicial authority. Those targeted include former Prime Minister Adviser Ibrahim al-Sumayda'i and lawmakers Bahaa al-Nuri, Ziyad al-Janabi, Abdurrahman al-Khalid, Mohammed Farhan al-Jubouri, Hind al-Abbas, Bishra al-Qaysi, Mudar al-Kurawi, Muthanna al-Sammarrai, Ishwaq al-Jubouri, Aliya Nasif and Mohammed Sa'dun al-Sihhud. The central bank did not specify the allegations against each individual or the status of the broader investigation. No further details on the case were immediately available.