Iraqi lawmaker alleges corruption at Karbala refinery, presents documents

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A member of Iraq's parliament said on Friday that he had found evidence of legal, administrative and financial violations at the Karbala oil refinery and called for a formal investigation. Rebiğ al-Musavi, a member of the parliamentary Oil, Gas and Natural Resources Committee, said he had conducted audits and reviews of the refinery for more than three months before releasing his findings. Al-Musavi said the documents point to serious breaches in the refinery's management and financial operations and indicate that public resources were not properly managed. He urged the relevant oversight and judicial bodies to examine the materials carefully and to investigate both the technical and financial dimensions of the suspect transactions. The lawmaker added that he would continue to inform the public if the matter was not probed in a transparent manner. No further details were immediately available from the refinery operator or the Oil Ministry on the allegations.