Iraqi court sentences MP Muthanna al-Samarrai to six years for oil graft
The court also ordered the Azm Alliance leader to return 30 billion Iraqi dinars ($19.81 million) in illicit gains from state oil contracts.
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The court also ordered the Azm Alliance leader to return 30 billion Iraqi dinars ($19.81 million) in illicit gains from state oil contracts.
An Iraqi anti-corruption court has sentenced lawmaker Muthanna al-Samarrai to six years in prison for exploiting his position to profit from state oil contracts. It also ordered him to return 30 billion Iraqi dinars ($19.81 million) in illicit gains.
Al-Samarrai, who leads the Sunni political bloc Azm Alliance, was arrested in June 2026.
Iraq’s Federal Integrity Commission said al-Samarrai used his parliamentary oversight role to benefit from public works and purchasing contracts involving the state-owned North and South Refineries companies, OCCRP said on October 29. He directly helped award contracts and steered payments to associates through four private companies.
The court’s financial order requires him to return the illicit gains. The 30 billion dinars is therefore repayment, rather than a fine.
Former Deputy Oil Minister Adnan al-Jumaili, who had also led the North Refineries Company, was arrested on May 29, before al-Samarrai’s arrest in June. 964media’s October 19 account said state media had linked the June arrests to al-Jumaili’s confessions.
A judicial source said the Central Anti-Corruption Criminal Court heard witness testimony on October 19 and adjourned al-Samarrai’s trial until October 29. He was being tried under Article 319 of Iraq’s Penal Code, which covers public officials who profit directly or indirectly from work or contracts connected to their posts.
After al-Samarrai’s arrest, Azm called for respect for judicial procedures and said the investigation should not be prejudged or used in political or media disputes.
The judgment’s appeal status is unclear.
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