Iraqi Judiciary: Three Officials Sentenced in Oil Graft Trial

An Iraqi court sentenced three officials to prison for corruption related to state oil distribution.

The cases connect to a broader push against graft in the energy sector. In June, dozens of political figures were arrested on similar charges. That group included members of former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s Shiite bloc and allies from the Azm Alliance. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has pledged to target corruption since taking office earlier this year.

The Azm Alliance holds 15 seats in the 329-seat parliament. Muthanna al-Samarrai, the party leader, received a six-year sentence. He was ordered to pay back 30 billion Iraqi dinars, or $19.8 million. Ziad al-Janabi, a lawmaker from the Tashree party, received a five-year sentence. He must repay 4 billion dinars, or $2.6 million. The court cited commissions received for facilitating contracts with the North and South Refineries Companies. The state-run Iraqi News Agency reported that both companies process crude oil and produce petroleum derivatives. Al-Samarrai and al-Janabi were found to have benefited from these contracts. Their parties did not immediately comment on the rulings.

Hussein Talib, the former Director General of the Oil Products Distribution Company, was sentenced to eight years in prison. His trial focused on intervening in contract awards for personal gain. The court ordered him to repay 55 billion dinars, or $36.3 million. The sentence was handed down on Wednesday but announced publicly on Thursday.