Iraq's Higher Judicial Council warns of fraud in ex-oil ministry official's case

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Higher Judicial Council has issued a warning about fraud and extortion attempts linked to the case of Adnan Mohammed Hammoud al-Jami, a former deputy director general at the Oil Ministry's liquidation department, according to a statement from the body. The investigating judge at the Central Criminal Court for anti-corruption cases said some individuals affiliated with public and private institutions have been contacting businessmen, falsely claiming their names appear in the case file linked to the detained defendant and using that pretext to pressure them. The council urged citizens, particularly businesspeople, to disregard such demands and report them to the court through a designated phone number. It also warned that television programs airing unverified information about the investigation would face the most severe legal action. Al-Jami remains in detention as the corruption probe continues. No further details were immediately available.