Iraq court freezes assets of central electricity distribution chief

BAGHDAD, Iraq — An Iraqi court has ordered a freeze on the movable and immovable assets of Ala Semir, director general of the Central Electricity Distribution Company, judicial sources said. The measure stems from a ruling issued by the Central Criminal Court for Anti-Corruption Cases under the Baghdad Karkh Court of Appeal. Under the order, restrictions will remain in place on the suspect's assets and real estate until investigation procedures are completed, according to the judicial document. The ruling came two days after security forces detained Semir on allegations of corruption and causing damage to public funds. Judicial sources said the investigation is continuing to identify parties and details linked to the case. Legal proceedings related to financial and administrative corruption files are also ongoing to recover public resources and bring those responsible to trial, the sources added. The asset freeze was recorded as a step in the legal process tied to corruption allegations within Iraq's electricity sector, based in Baghdad. No further details were immediately available.