Iraq issues Interpol arrest warrants for two brothers in 'Quarantine Contracts' corruption case

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi Justice Minister Mustafa Sind said two suspects sought in corruption investigations fled to France with nearly half a billion dollars in illicit funds. In a social media post, Sind said the two brothers left the country, including the sibling of an arrested deputy who had overseen an economic commission. Prime Minister Ali Salih al-Ali al-Zaydi ordered the activation of international legal mechanisms, including Interpol, to pursue the suspects, according to the minister's statement. Iraqi courts have issued international arrest warrants through Interpol for Hasan al-Kirdi and Mohammed al-Kirdi in a case publicly known as the "Quarantine Contracts" file. The two brothers were abroad when an arrest warrant was carried out against another defendant in the case, Adnan al-Jumaili. Hasan al-Kirdi is held responsible for managing commissions linked to the contracts and for millions of dollars transferred out of the country. The government said it will continue coordinating with international judicial bodies as part of its anti-corruption efforts.