Iraqi anti-corruption body finds cash and gold at electricity ministry official's homes

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Federal Integrity Commission said searches at several residences of Khalid Ghazai Attia, an assistant undersecretary in the Ministry of Electricity responsible for transmission and distribution, uncovered large quantities of cash and gold. The agency said investigators from the Baghdad Investigation Directorate carried out the searches under a judicial order after extended surveillance and inquiry. Items seized during the raids included 1.175 billion Iraqi dinars, $5.839 million in U.S. currency, seven gold bars and gold jewelry, according to the commission. It said the records were referred to the investigating judge and that legal proceedings had been initiated. Security sources had previously said an arrest warrant was issued against the official on Friday and that he was detained on charges of financial and administrative corruption. Separately, the investigating judge at Baghdad's Central Anti-Corruption Criminal Court reported that a coordinated operation with the Kurdistan Region targeted Adnan al-Jumaili, deputy director general of liquidation at the Ministry of Oil, and his associates. The court said the case resulted in the seizure of $20 million, an additional $340,000, 200 million dinars, 60 kilograms of gold and seven vehicles.