ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – An Iraqi court sentenced the former governor of Salahaddin province to 14 years in prison in absentia for violating regulations in awarding contracts to two private companies, the federal integrity commission announced on Sunday.

Iraq’s Central Anti-Corruption Criminal Court issued two seven-year prison sentences against former Salahaddin Governor Amar Jabr Khalil for “intentionally causing harm to the funds or interests of the entity in which he worked,” the commission said in a statement.

“The two rulings were issued in the case of violating regulations and instructions in awarding the tenders for two contracts he concluded with two private companies,” the statement read, adding that the court had reviewed the evidence and “found it sufficient and convincing for conviction.”

The commission said it had previously announced two other in absentia sentences against Khalil, on November 13, 2022, and August 17, 2026, bringing his previous sentences to a total of 17 years. It also said a precautionary seizure had been placed on his movable and immovable assets.

The Iraqi government has renewed its anti-corruption campaign, which began with a sweeping raid on Baghdad’s Green Zone in late June, in a bid to recover embezzled and misused public funds.

Several high-profile figures have been arrested as part of the crackdown, including Muthanna al-Samarrai, leader of Iraq’s Sunni Azm Alliance; former Wasit Governor Mohammed Jamil al-Mayahi; Oil Ministry Undersecretary Ali Ma’arij al-Bahadli; and Ibrahim al-Sumaidaie, a senior adviser to former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani.

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.

The Integrity Commission reported 32 arrests and summons warrants against special-grade officials, 19 conflict-of-interest cases, and 220 seizure operations in October. These included 35 suspects caught in the act and 154 court convictions involving 128 individuals.