Shafaq News- Baghdad
Iraqi Transport Minister Wahab Al-Hassani on Sundaysuspended the Director General of state-owned Iraqi Airways, Manaf Abdul MunimAjil, for 60 days and relieved him of his duties, according to a ministerialorder obtained by Shafaq News.
The order appointed Mustafa Talib Yousif to manage theairline during the suspension, citing work-related requirements.
On June 22, Alaa Al-Haidari, a lawmaker from theAl-Asas Alliance, revealed that authorities had arrested Ajil over allegationsof embezzling more than 115 billion Iraqi dinars ($87.5 million), without disclosingfurther details of the investigation.
Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council also confirmed therecovery of 19 billion Iraqi dinars ($12 million) in a financial corruptioncase involving the airline. The funds were recovered during an investigationinto the alleged manipulation of deposit records linked to Iraqi Airways’financial accounts.
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The case is part of the country’s nationwideanti-corruption campaign, Dawn Crackdown, launched on June 28 under PrimeMinister Ali Al-Zaidi. A security source previously told Shafaq News thatauthorities detained more than 67 people during the first 24 hours, whileinformed sources indicated the initial phase targets more than 200 current andformer officials, politicians, business owners, and other suspects.
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