The latest
Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council chief Faiq Zidan ordered changes to the public prosecutor, 12 Supreme Court judges and court presidencies in 4 provinces, as a corruption campaign targets senior officials and politicians.
Details
• Judicial changes: 964 reported that Zidan’s orders covered the public prosecution, Supreme Court judges and court leadership in 4 provinces.
• Arrest campaign: Iraqi forces had arrested 47 suspects, including lawmakers and government officials, under judicial warrants.
• Government line: Reuters quoted a government spokesperson as saying anti-corruption efforts remain central to strengthening state institutions and protecting public funds.
• Oil file: Some arrests were linked to statements by Deputy Oil Minister Adnan Al-Jumaili after his detention.
• Green Zone: The arrests followed raids inside Baghdad’s Green Zone, while some suspects fled before forces arrived.
Background:
The moves follow Prime Minister Ali Al-Zeidi’s pledge, after taking office in May, to confront entrenched corruption inside state institutions, according to Reuters.
Between the lines:
If the judicial reshuffle is tied to the arrests, Baghdad is not only moving through security forces. It is also rearranging prosecution and court tools before larger files open.
What to watch
The key test will be indictments, named cases and trial timelines. Without that, the campaign will remain stuck between real judicial reform and a limited political strike.
