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| $251 Million in Cash Found Hidden Inside Iraqi Deputy Oil Minister's Wall as Anti-Corruption Crackdown Expands |
The discovery of $251 million in cash hidden behind a wall inside the home of Iraq's Deputy Oil Minister for Distribution Affairs, Ali Maarij Al Bahadly, has become one of the most striking developments in the country's ongoing anti-corruption campaign.
Investigators raided Al Bahadly's residence over the weekend and uncovered approximately US$14 million (around Rp251.3 billion) in cash concealed inside a wall near the property's swimming pool. The money consisted of US$11 million in U.S. dollars and four billion Iraqi dinars, worth roughly US$3 million.
Photos released by Iraq's Judicial Council show investigators using a jackhammer to break through the wall before discovering multiple suitcases packed with stacks of U.S. dollars and Iraqi dinars. Authorities also recovered several boxes of valuables, including a gold Rolex watch.
The raid is part of a sweeping anti-corruption campaign launched by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, who took office on May 14, 2026. The government previously announced the arrest of 47 corruption suspects in a single day, including cabinet officials and members of parliament, underscoring its efforts to tackle Iraq corruption.
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| $251 Million in Cash Found Hidden Inside Iraqi Deputy Oil Minister's Wall as Anti-Corruption Crackdown Expands |
As Deputy Oil Minister for Distribution Affairs, Al Bahadly oversaw the allocation and sale of refined fuel products across Iraq. The position is considered highly sensitive because it involves direct oversight of private fuel traders, distribution companies, and provincial fuel quotas.
The chief judge of Iraq's Central Criminal Court for Corruption said the cash was discovered during the initial stage of the investigation, adding that the inquiry remains ongoing.
Al Bahadly has since been arrested and is facing legal proceedings before Baghdad's Central Anti-Corruption Criminal Court, which handles major financial crimes involving senior government officials.
The Iraqi government has also reported recovering billions of Iraqi dinars, seizing properties in Baghdad and overseas, and securing prison sentences for several convicted officials. The campaign is widely viewed as an effort to restore public confidence in the country's institutions after years of widespread corruption.
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| $251 Million in Cash Found Hidden Inside Iraqi Deputy Oil Minister's Wall as Anti-Corruption Crackdown Expands. |
However, analysts remain cautious about the long-term impact of the crackdown. Harith Hasan, a researcher at the Arab Centre for Research and Policy Studies, believes the campaign could lose momentum once it begins to face significant political or security costs.
According to Hasan, the success of the operation will ultimately depend not only on high-profile arrests but also on the government's willingness to apply the law consistently. He said additional arrests are still possible, although mounting political pressure could slow future investigations.
The case involving Ali Maarij Al Bahadly has attracted widespread attention because of the extraordinary amount of cash allegedly linked to corruption. As the legal process continues, many Iraqis are watching closely to see whether the government's anti-corruption drive will produce lasting reforms and greater accountability.
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