Ahmed al-Jubouri, who previously served as governor of Iraq’s Saladin province from 2013 to 2014 and later as minister of state for provincial affairs between 2014 and 2015, was arrested in Baghdad on Saturday. Iraqi media reported that al-Jubouri, also known as Abu Mazen, faces allegations of embezzling funds from provincial contracts. A senior government source confirmed the arrest to the Iraqi News Agency, and the development was corroborated by multiple Iraqi media outlets.
Alongside al-Jubouri’s arrest, businessman Mohammed al-Hajaf, described as a close associate, was also detained in Saladin province facing identical charges. The government source did not disclose the specific amount of funds allegedly taken. Neither al-Jubouri nor al-Hajaf has issued any public response to the allegations. The National Masses Party, of which al-Jubouri currently serves as secretary general, posted a photograph of him on Facebook with a caption praising his work with vulnerable populations. The party holds three parliamentary seats and participates in the ruling coalition.
The arrests occur shortly after the State Administration Coalition, composed of parties supporting the government, reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the anti-corruption campaign and backing the prime minister’s reform initiatives. Earlier this year, newly inaugurated Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi took office amid international pressure, particularly from the United States, to address corruption and diminish the influence of Iran-backed armed groups operating within Iraqi territory. Security forces conducted a major operation in June that resulted in the arrest of 47 prominent political figures, lawmakers and officials, along with the recovery of tens of millions of dollars.
This arrest represents a recurrence for al-Jubouri, who was previously detained in November 2019 after his parliamentary immunity was removed due to alleged criminal conduct connected to student housing construction at Tikrit University. Local media indicated he was subsequently released on bail in that instance.
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