Iraq’s Criminal Court for Combating Corruption sentenced a former director general of the State Company for Oil Products Distribution to eight years in prison and ordered repayment of 55 billion Iraqi dinars, nearly $36.2 million, OCCRP reported on November 4. Citing Iraq’s Federal Integrity Commission, the report said the official steered 40 contracts and 29 purchase orders worth 181 billion dinars, about $119 million, to affiliated firms at the North Refineries Company. The Commission said the official personally received 30 billion dinars in illicit commissions, while associates received another 35 billion dinars. The case concerns alleged abuse of authority in refinery financing and contract awards. The report identifies the ruling as a conviction.

Why it matters

  • The case links public procurement controls to substantial financial exposure in Iraq’s oil sector.
  • The repayment order accompanies a prison sentence in a corruption conviction involving state-related contracts.