Ahmed Anwar, the Head of the Kurdistan Region Integrity Commission, stated that “an agreement” has been reached between Erbil and Baghdad to arrest corruption suspects, noting that anyone wanted who resides in the Kurdistan Region will be detained.

Speaking to Channel8, Anwar noted that prior to this campaign, an agreement existed between the Judicial Council of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council to extradite wanted individuals. 

Consequently, anyone wanted by Iraqi courts has been arrested and handed over to federal authorities.

Over 1,000 Corruption Cases Investigated Annually 

Regarding corruption cases within the Kurdistan Region, he indicated that between 1,000 and 1,100 cases are investigated annually, with 200 to 230 of those files proceeding to court for trial.

The official also stated that while officials and high-ranking personnel are implicated in Kurdistan Region corruption cases every year, the issue has been tackled more extensively at the federal level in Iraq, where larger budgets and financial allocations create a wider scope for corruption.

Kurdish Officials on Corruption Lists 

Anwar highlighted that the inclusion of Kurdish officials on the list of corrupt individuals is “expected,” given that hundreds of Kurds have held government positions and served as members of the Council of Representatives since 2003. 

He further stated that the Federal Integrity Commission had previously requested information on two individuals prior to the campaign, reiterating that the presence of Kurdish officials on the list is anticipated.

Iraq’s Anti-Corruption Campaign and Erbil Cooperation 

Launched by Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi late June, Iraq's largest anti-corruption campaign targets widespread embezzlement, public asset theft, and cross-border financial crimes. 

The initiative has resulted in over 70 high-profile detentions and massive asset recoveries, driven by cooperation between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government. 

Authorities are currently using Interpol and financial rewards for citizen reports to secure further gains. 

The Kurdistan Regional Government has initiated the detention and transfer of wanted lawmakers and senior officials to federal authorities in Baghdad. 

This historic cross-border cooperation is driven by a direct executive protocol aimed at eliminating safe havens for corrupt figures.