Shafaq News–
Baghdad
Iraq has expanded an investigation intoalleged manipulation of US dollar sales to travelers at a branch of RafidainBank inside Baghdad International Airport, a source told Shafaq News onSaturday.
According to the source, the case focuseson the sale of dollars at the official exchange rate through the state-ownedbank’s airport outlet, a process that has previously drawn complaints andcorruption allegations.
Official documents show that additionalofficials and employees have been added to the probe under a recent directivefrom the Ministry of Finance, ahead of questioning and possible legal measures. The investigation is now also examining administrative and legal responsibilitylinked to the airport branch’s dollar-sale operations.
Earlier, Finance Minister Taif Samiordered the temporary removal of Rafidain Bank’s director, Ali Al-Fatlawi, andmore than 20 officials over suspicions related to dollar sales at the airportbranch and other alleged irregularities. Those measures were later lifted and theofficials reinstated, a move that Shafaq News sources said followed politicalpressure.
Rafidain Bank sells dollars to travelersat its Baghdad airport branch through an advance electronic booking system,with collection at the airport outlet. The bank has previously suspended dollarsales amid allegations of irregularities involving foreign currencytransactions, though the outcomes of earlier probes have not been publiclydisclosed.
The Ministry of Finance and Rafidain Bankdid not immediately comment on the expanded investigation.
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