DUBAI, UAE - Based on the directive of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, Iraq’s Integrity Commission has launched an investigation into a leaked audio recording allegedly implicating Abdul Karim Faisal, head of the advisory board in the prime minister's office, in accepting a substantial bribe.

The leaked audio purportedly captures Faisal admitting to taking a $1 million bribe from a businessman and mentioning that a government minister had accepted bribes amounting to millions of dollars.

In a statement provided to The New Region, the Integrity Commission confirmed that it had begun its investigation “in cooperation and coordination with the judge of the Central Anti-Corruption Criminal Court.”

The move comes after the government denied the recording’s authenticity.

Rabie Nader, director of Sudani’s media office, dismissed the recording as fabricated. “The simplest thing today is to manipulate voices and spread lies, as some do, but we refrain from such cheap tactics.”

In response to the emerging allegations, the prime minister’s office issued a statement accusing unnamed entities of fabricating lies to undermine the government.

“Spreading lies is the weapon of the [morally] bankrupt and a tactic for those who lack a genuine and respected standing among our people,” the statement read. “Whenever the government takes a clear step forward… fabricators emerge to spread cheap lies.”

The statement added that the government would pursue legal action against those responsible for the alleged fabrication.

Meanwhile, Sudani’s advisor, Ibrahim al-Sumaidaie, confirmed to The New Region that the premier has not relieved Faisal from his responsibilities as head of the advisory board, calling media reports of his dismissal “untrue”.

Faisal himself has also denied the allegations, claiming the audio recording is a fabrication.