Iraqi PM: Arrest of politicians, officials first step in wider anti-graft campaign
Iraqi prime minister Ali al-Zaidi has described the arrest of dozens of politicians and senior officials as the first step in a wider campaign against corruption, as authorities continue sweeping raids across the country.
The prime minister said the government would continue efforts to recover public funds and ensure that "power and weapons" remain exclusively in the hands of the state, Al Jazeera reported.
The Iraqi News Agency (INA), citing the prime minister's office, said al-Zaidi had instructed officials to receive reports of corruption and negligence across government ministries.
The arrest of 47 people, including lawmakers and officials, followed confessions by former oil ministry undersecretary Adnan al-Jumaili, who was detained in May on corruption charges.