ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iraq’s integrity commission on Tuesday announced the arrest of a former electricity distribution chief in Muthanna and a dozen other suspects for the alleged misuse of public funds worth around $4.1 million.

“The electricity distribution department in the province purchased electrical materials for the aforementioned amount without any actual need for them,” the commission said in a statement.

The suspects allegedly manipulated measurement units and purchase orders while buying electrical materials in 2024, the commission said, adding that much of it remains unused.

Security forces “seized and impounded” the materials deposited in the warehouse, along with the original documents related to the purchase of the double-panel material, it added.

Muthana is a province in southern Iraq, bordering Saudi Arabia.

The arrests come amid a renewed push against corruption undertaken by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, which started with a sweeping raid of Baghdad’s Green Zone in late June that saw the arrest of at least 21 people, including several high-ranking officials.

By late July, Baghdad had seized over $125 million and 380 kilograms of gold and jewelry in a corruption case involving Adnan al-Jumaili, the detained oil ministry undersecretary for refining affairs.

During September, the commission issued 237 arrest warrants, including 17 for high-ranking officials.