Iraqi anti-corruption body says 9 billion dinars and gold seized in raid on ex-minister's homes

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Federal Integrity Commission said anti-corruption investigators seized approximately 9 billion Iraqi dinars in cash and gold during raids on the residences of Khalid Ghazi Atiyah, a former deputy minister of transmission and distribution at the Ministry of Electricity. The agency said the searches were carried out by the Baghdad Investigations Directorate following an extended surveillance and inquiry period targeting Atiyah, who had been the subject of an arrest warrant. According to the commission, the raids recovered 1.175 billion Iraqi dinars and $5.839 million in U.S. currency, along with seven gold bars and a quantity of gold jewelry. The operations were conducted under judicial authorization, and the seized items, together with an official record of the searches, were submitted to the competent investigating judge. The commission said legal proceedings in the case remain ongoing. No further details on potential charges or additional suspects were immediately available.