Iraq prosecutor opens inquiry into $140 billion in state revenue

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's public prosecution has opened a judicial investigation into the handling of roughly $140 billion in state revenue over a three-year period, following a formal complaint filed by a member of parliament. Lawmaker Mohammed Jasim al-Haffaji, a member of parliament's Legal Committee, said the General Prosecutor's office accepted his complaint and ordered a judicial probe into the case. The complaint is based on statements by Masoud Haidar, a former deputy minister at the Finance Ministry, who said the use of approximately $140 billion in Iraqi revenue over three years was unclear. Al-Haffaji said the General Prosecutor's office referred the file to the Karkh 2 Investigative Court in Baghdad, citing official documents, and ordered legal proceedings to begin. The investigation will be conducted from Baghdad, al-Haffaji said, adding that the process will continue to determine how the funds were used and to ensure public accountability. No further details were immediately available.