Iraqi court says 40 gold bars and large cash sum seized in ex-oil deputy minister probe

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's High Judicial Council said security forces seized 40 gold bars and a large sum of cash during a corruption investigation into former Deputy Oil Minister Adnan al-Jumaili. The council said the inquiry was launched on Saturday and that the evidence collected has been referred to the Presidential Anti-Corruption Judicial Committee. High Judicial Council head Haydar Hammoud said the investigation is being pursued with care and that international cooperation will be sought if necessary. He added that developments will be shared transparently to keep the public properly informed. The council said al-Jumaili was removed from his post during his tenure by a Cabinet decision and that the corruption charges against him have been referred to the judiciary. It added that examination of the suspect's assets will be expanded in the next stages of the probe. Further details were not immediately available.