An arrest and search warrant was issued in Iraq for former Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Ahmed Qasim Sabir al-Asadi as part of public-sector corruption investigations. The decision followed an investigation into allegations of illicit enrichment.
The investigating judge of the Central Anti-Corruption Criminal Court, affiliated with the Presidency of the Baghdad-Karkh Court of Appeal, initiated the proceedings following a complaint by the Federal Integrity Commission.
Increase in assets cited in court file
The court document cited allegations that the former minister had failed to prove the lawful source of the increase in his assets. It stated that the arrest procedure would be carried out under the framework of the Integrity Commission and legislation combating illicit enrichment.
Parliament to consider lifting lawmaker’s immunity
Judicial authorities also requested that parliamentarian Nazim Muhammad Duwayij al-Asadi’s immunity be lifted so legal proceedings could be brought against him. The request was submitted for parliamentary approval under Article 63 of the Iraqi Constitution.
The court document alleged that the parliamentarian and the former minister had jointly established “Al-Tadamun General Trading, Information Technology and General Contracting Limited Company.” According to the document, the company was registered in the name of one of the people on the parliamentarian’s security detail.
Judicial authorities concluded that the company was established to directly benefit from and obtain contracts issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.
Company signed two ministry contracts in 2025
Court documents stated that the company signed two contracts with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, on 15 January and 19 November 2025. It was also licensed to establish a private employment agency to bring in foreign workers.
The court determined that the agency had brought large numbers of foreign workers into Iraq in violation of the rules. The request to lift the parliamentarian’s immunity aims to enable legal proceedings against him under the Iraqi Penal Code.
Corruption investigations continue in Iraq
The proceedings came amid weeks of security and judicial operations in Iraq targeting suspicions of financial and administrative corruption in public institutions. Authorities announced that dozens of suspects, including some parliamentarians and public officials, had been detained, in some cases after their immunity was lifted.
Some of the investigations were linked to statements by former Deputy Minister of Oil Adnan al-Jumaili. Al-Jumaili was arrested on 2 June after being dismissed over suspicions involving the waste of public resources and unlawful contracts.
