Shafaq News- Baghdad
Iraqi authorities have arrested 21suspects as part of the nationwide Dawn Crackdown anti-corruption campaign,while security forces continue searching for additional suspects who remain atlarge, government spokesperson Haider Al-Aboudi announced on Monday.
Speaking at a news conference,Al-Aboudi said the investigation uncovered a network accused of embezzlingpublic funds after former Oil Ministry Undersecretary Adnan Al-Jumaili'sconfessions during the investigation pointed to the involvement of politicalfigures and lawmakers.
Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi hasdirected the Finance Ministry to establish a dedicated account for depositingmoney recovered from illicit enrichment cases, Al-Aboudi added, describing thecampaign, carried out in coordination with the Supreme Judicial Council and theIraqi Parliament, as unprecedented in recent years.
Al-Aboudi also dismissed any linkbetween the operation and the prime minister's planned visit to Washington nextmonth.
Iraqi authorities launched thenationwide campaign on June 28 under Al-Zaidi's direction. A security sourcetold Shafaq News that the number of arrests exceeded 67 during the first 24hours, while informed sources said the initial phase is expected to target morethan 200 current and former officials, politicians, business owners, and othersuspects.
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