Dhi Qar recovers 20B IQD, refers 50 staff to court in anti-graft sweep

Dhi Qar (IraqiNews.com) — The local government of Dhi Qar Governorate has recovered more than 20 billion Iraqi Dinars (approximately $15.2 million) in embezzled and misused public funds since the beginning of 2026, Governor Haitham Al-Hamdani announced on Sunday, August 16, 2026. Speaking to official state media, Al-Hamdani outlined the results of an administrative and financial anti-corruption campaign executed across local service directorates, led by the Municipality of Nasiriyah, in coordination with the Federal Integrity Commission and the Supreme Judicial Council. Key Accountability Metrics & Recoveries Total Funds Recovered: Over 20 billion IQD (~$15.2M) retrieved between January and July 2026 through investigative audits. Investigative Inquiries: More than 200 investigative committees were established to audit service departments and municipal contracting files. Administrative & Legal Sanctions: 200 civil servants found administratively negligent or implicated in misconduct. 50 employees formally referred to the judiciary for criminal prosecution. Dismissal and administrative reassignment of several department heads, division directors, and surplus personnel across municipal units. Directives & Oversight: Executed in line with anti-corruption mandates issued by Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi, with direct supervision from the Dhi Qar Provincial Council. The anti-corruption drive in Dhi Qar highlights an intensifying push to clean up service directorates and municipal departments, which manage local development budgets and basic public utilities. Governor Al-Hamdani affirmed that field inspections and financial audits will expand across all remaining provincial departments in Nasiriyah and surrounding districts, pairing administrative restructuring with judicial accountability to safeguard public resources.