Iraq Audits Assets of 6,000 People in Widening Anti-Corruption Campaign

Iraqi authorities are examining the finances and assets of about 6,000 people in the first stage of an anti-corruption investigation, according to sources familiar with the inquiries. The probes accelerated over the past month in Baghdad and other governorates, covering businesspeople, contractors, real-estate dealers, tribal figures and people tied to agricultural-land transactions or stalled state projects. Sources estimated nearly $5 billion could be recovered and said investigators are comparing declared income with accumulated wealth. Some subjects have been detained, assets including vehicles, gold and cash have been placed under precautionary holds, and a Federal Commission of Integrity source said the list is an initial stage rather than a final count.