Iraq’s Integrity Commission arrests electricity official over 4.5B IQD cable theft

The headquarters of the Federal Commission of Integrity in Iraq. Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) — Iraq’s Federal Integrity Commission announced on Sunday, July 19, 2026, the arrest of a senior official within the Baghdad Electricity Distribution Company for the embezzlement and illicit seizure of state-owned electrical infrastructure materials valued at nearly 4.5 billion Iraqi Dinars (IQD). According to an official statement released by the commission, a specialized investigative and auditing task force was deployed directly to the Ministry of Electricity to audit regional inventory systems. The investigation revealed that the head of the warehouses for the Rusafa distribution branch had illegally seized high-voltage electrical cables totaling 4,406,000,000 IQD in value. The commission noted that the primary suspect executed the embezzlement scheme in direct cooperation with two civilian vehicle owners who assisted in transporting the stolen state property out of the facility. The arrest was carried out under a formal judicial warrant issued by the Judge of the Central Anti-Corruption Criminal Court, in accordance with the statutory provisions of Article 315 of the Iraqi Penal Code, which strictly penalizes the embezzlement of public funds by state employees. A formal seizure record was legally documented, and the primary suspect was presented before the competent investigative judge, who subsequently ordered him to be remanded in custody pending further judicial proceedings. Investigation Brief: Rusafa Grid Embezzlement Case Targeted Institution: Ministry of Electricity — Rusafa Distribution Branch Warehouse. Primary Suspect: Head of the Rusafa Branch Warehouses, acting in collusion with two civilian drivers. Stolen Assets: High-voltage state-owned electrical cabling. Total Financial Value: 4,406,000,000 IQD (~$3.38 Million USD at official exchange rates). Legal Framework: Arrested and detained under Article 315 of the Iraqi Penal Code by order of the Central Anti-Corruption Criminal Court.