Iraq anti-corruption body says some states resisting asset recovery requests

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Federal Integrity Commission said on Saturday, July 11, 2026, that several foreign governments continue to resist bilateral cooperation requests aimed at returning assets obtained through corruption. The commission reported it has been unable to secure sufficient consent from various countries as part of efforts to recover public funds transferred abroad. According to the statement, administrative and legal obstacles in asset recovery proceedings have slowed the progress of the cases. Commission officials said correspondence with international partners includes requests that have been pending for years, with some states avoiding information-sharing. The commission said difficulties in implementing bilateral agreements on asset return have complicated the closure of investigations. It added that it expects concrete steps from the relevant countries before results can be achieved in Iraq's favor. The statement also said the commission will continue its pursuit of the cases until all assets have been recovered.