Integrity Commission halts 550-dunam land auction in Anbar, saving 19B dinars

The headquarters of the Federal Commission of Integrity in Iraq. Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) — The Federal Commission of Integrity announced on Monday, August 31, 2026, that it has successfully halted the fraudulent sale and auction procedures of a prime 550-dunam state-owned real estate parcel in Anbar Governorate, preventing the squandering of over 19.25 billion IQD (approximately $14.7 million) in public funds. According to an official statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the operation was executed by a field investigation unit from the Commission’s Anbar Investigation Office as part of its ongoing oversight of state-owned properties nationwide. Field investigators conducted comprehensive on-site audits and cross-referenced documentation across the State Real Estate Department in Anbar, the Urban Planning Directorate, and the City Organization Division at the Ramadi Municipality Directorate: Location & Unauthorized Sale: The 550-dunam plot is situated within the master plan designated for the future urban expansion of Ramadi. It had been auctioned and sold to an individual buyer without obtaining statutory municipal approvals from the Ramadi Municipality Directorate. Severe Undervaluation: The official appraisal committee at the Anbar State Real Estate Department had valued the property at just 25.09 million IQD per dunam, resulting in a total sale price of 13.75 billion IQD. Market Discrepancy: The Commission’s field investigators analyzed land coordinates and comparable market pricing, referencing the General Commission for Taxes’ benchmark guidelines. They determined that the actual market value stands at 60 million IQD per dunam, bringing the true aggregate value to 33.00 billion IQD. Total Prevented Loss: The fraudulent undervaluation represented a direct financial deficit of 19,250,000,000 IQD against the state treasury. Comparison of Real Estate Valuations MetricState Appraisal CommitteeIntegrity Commission AuditDifference / Saved FundsPrice per Dunam25,090,000 IQD60,000,000 IQD+34,910,000 IQD / dunamTotal Property Value13,750,000,000 IQD33,000,000,000 IQD+19,250,000,000 IQDParcel Area550 Dunams550 Dunams— Upon presenting the investigative findings to the specialized Integrity Investigative Judge in Anbar, the court issued immediate binding rulings: Immediate Injunction: Halting all ongoing auction, transfer, and registration proceedings for the 550-dunam parcel. External Audit Referral: Submitting the entire primary case file to the External Audit Division to review administrative infractions and identify liable committee members. Deposition of Legal Representatives: Formally recording the testimonies of legal representatives from the State Real Estate Department, the Real Estate Registration Directorate in Anbar, and the General Commission for Taxes to prepare criminal indictment briefs.