LocationsSupreme Judicial Council and UNDP Review Findings of Third Trial Monitoring Report on Grand Corruption Cases in Iraq
June 21, 2026
On 20 June 2026, the Supreme Judicial Council and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the European Union, convened a validation workshop at the Judicial Development Institute in Baghdad to review the draft findings of the Third Trial Monitoring Report on Grand Corruption Cases in Iraq.
The workshop brought together judges and public prosecutors from the Integrity Criminal, Misdemeanour, and Investigative Courts, alongside UNDP experts, to discuss the report’s findings and recommendations ahead of its final publication. The event provided a platform for judicial stakeholders to reflect on emerging trends in grand corruption cases and contribute their expertise to the finalization of the report.
Since 2022, UNDP’s Trial Monitoring Programme, implemented under the Anti-Corruption and Arbitration Initiatives for Environmental Justice (ACAI II) project, has supported evidence-based reforms within Iraq’s justice sector. By monitoring and analysing major corruption cases, the programme generates data-driven insights into judicial processes, evidentiary practices, procedural fairness, and institutional challenges, while fully respecting judicial independence and the principle of non-interference.
The Third Trial Monitoring Report examines 170 cases heard before the Central Anti-Corruption Criminal Court between August 2024 and July 2025. The analysis highlights evolving trends in corruption-related prosecutions, including the increasing complexity of cases and a growing focus on financial harm, asset recovery, and anti-money laundering measures.
During the workshop, participants reviewed both quantitative and qualitative findings from the report and discussed challenges affecting the prosecution and adjudication of grand corruption cases. Discussions focused on issues related to case referrals, legislative frameworks, financial recovery mechanisms, and the implementation of recent legal amendments. Participants also explored opportunities to strengthen evidence gathering, improve case management, enhance coordination among relevant institutions, and support more effective asset tracking and recovery.
The report also puts forward a set of practical recommendations aimed at strengthening accountability mechanisms, improving judicial efficiency, enhancing the use of financial and technical evidence, and supporting more effective recovery of assets linked to corruption.
Feedback gathered during the workshop will be incorporated into the final report before its publication in the coming weeks. The validation process reflects the continued collaboration between the Supreme Judicial Council, UNDP, and the European Union to support Iraq’s efforts to strengthen integrity, accountability, and the rule of law through nationally led and evidence-based reforms.
As Iraq continues to advance its anti-corruption agenda, initiatives such as the Trial Monitoring Programme provide valuable insights to inform policy, strengthen institutions, and support a more effective, transparent, and accountable justice system.