Iraqi court issues arrest warrants over alleged contract forgery in Maysan electricity directorate

MAYSAN, Iraq — An anti-corruption court in Iraq's Maysan province has issued arrest warrants for the provincial electricity directorate's branch manager and several employees over allegations of forgery related to a state-owned contract, security sources said. The ruling was handed down by the Maysan Investigation Corruption Court under Article 341 of Iraq's amended Penal Code No. 36 of 1969. The warrants target the branch manager, his technical assistant, the heads of the planning, legal, accounting and financial audit departments, a contracts unit employee and two additional staff members. Security forces have detained the deputy branch manager and the heads of the legal and accounting sections. The branch manager was transferred to the intensive care unit of Maysan Hospital citing a health condition, but remains under security guard. The remaining suspects are reported to have fled, and search operations are ongoing. The investigating judge extended the detention period for those in custody until the 18th of the month. No further details were immediately available.