Erbil, Iraq - On International Anti-Corruption Day, UNDP and the Kurdistan Judicial Council, with support from the Public Prosecution Office, the Commission of Integrity, and funding from the European Union, released a new report tracking how grand corruption cases are progressing through the justice system in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. 

The report reviews 149 cases, a significant increase from the previous phase (100 cases) and highlights emerging trends across the Region’s courts. It notes the establishment of Erbil’s Fourth Criminal Court as a dedicated venue for corruption cases, a development aimed at improving the handling of complex financial crimes. Nearly half of all cases resulted in convictions, though 77 remain ongoing, underscoring the need for more timely adjudication in the cases. 

High-Value Embezzlement Cases Increasing 

High-value embezzlement cases have risen sharply, with average case amounts increasing from IQD 622 million to IQD 4.5 billion, indicating that more serious offenses are now reaching court. Half of the new cases involved public institutions such as Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Ministry of Interior, and Ministry of Health, pointing to areas where oversight and internal controls can be strengthened. While grand corruption remains excluded from general amnesty law, the continued use of trials in absentia raises concerns about due process and enforcement of decisions, as well as recovery of assets. 

The Head of the Commission of Integrity in the Region emphasized the important role of the United Nations in strengthening anti-corruption efforts, highlighting the value of trial monitoring and the need for stronger media coverage to enhance transparency. He stressed that “effective cooperation between the prosecution, the judiciary, and the Commission is essential to reducing corruption and that corruption poses a threat greater than terrorism”, calling for stronger internal oversight mechanisms, an empowered parliamentary role, and increased international support.

The Head of the Public Prosecution in the Region expressed appreciation for the United Nations and its programs’ continued efforts in combating corruption. He affirmed the office’s commitment to working with the judiciary and the government to overcome the obstacles identified in the recommendations, noting that the establishment of the Erbil’s Fourth Criminal Court reflects this progress. He acknowledged that financial limitations and slow legislative procedures have hindered the implementation of some recommendations and underscored the importance of reinforcing partnerships and advancing digitalization as a key reform pathway.

UNDP’s Head of Office in the Region also emphasized the significance of the report and stated that “every dinar lost to corruption is a school not built, a clinic not equipped, a job not created. A judiciary that pursues corruption impartially, applies the law consistently, and recovers stolen assets strengthens social trust and economic confidence.”