Two veterinary department officials detained in Kirkuk over corruption allegations

KIRKUK, Iraq — Security forces in Kirkuk detained the director of the provincial veterinary department and the head of the veterinary branch in the district of Shawkan as part of a probe into corruption files, local sources said. The detentions were carried out under a judicial order, and the suspects were referred to the units handling the investigation into alleged administrative and financial corruption. The two officials are expected to be brought before judicial authorities for questioning in connection with the files under review, according to the sources. They declined to disclose the details of the allegations or the financial scale of the case, saying further information would emerge as the investigation progresses. Local officials noted that security and inspection work targeting irregularities and improper spending at state institutions in Kirkuk is continuing, and that the latest detentions are being handled through established legal and judicial procedures.