Integrity Commission Uncovers 2 Billion-Dinar Traffic Department Corruption Case in Salahaddin
Two traffic officers detained as investigators uncover manipulation of more than 56,000 penalty tickets and alleged embezzlement of over 2.19 billion Iraqi dinars
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Iraq’s Integrity Commission on Wednesday, announced that its investigative team in Salahaddin Province had uncovered corruption cases at the provincial Traffic Directorate involving more than 2 billion Iraqi dinars following investigations and detailed reviews.
According to a statement from the commission, the head of the directorate’s penalties department, an officer holding the rank of colonel, was detained under a court order after allegedly manipulating 34,164 penalty tickets and using 1.853 billion dinars for personal benefit.
Integrity Commission teams raided the directorate under a warrant issued by a specialized investigative judge and seized all penalty tickets in which manipulation and falsification were allegedly detected, the statement said.
In a separate operation, investigators uncovered another case involving a colonel who was also detained. The officer allegedly manipulated speeding-violation tickets and obtained 339.135 million dinars, while investigators seized 22,000 penalty tickets reportedly used in the illegal activity.
The investigation has also included three other senior officers—one brigadier general and two colonels—over alleged negligence in reviewing data related to traffic penalties and failing to prevent the reported financial abuses, according to the commission.
The Integrity Commission said investigative files had been opened in both cases under Article 315 of the Iraqi Penal Code, which concerns offenses involving public funds and public-service duties.
All seized evidence and penalty tickets have been handed over to the specialized investigative judge responsible for Integrity Commission cases in Salahaddin to take the necessary legal measures against those accused, the statement added.
The investigation in Salahaddin comes amid broader efforts by Iraqi authorities to strengthen oversight of government institutions and curb the misuse of public funds.
The Integrity Commission has increasingly relied on investigative teams and judicial warrants to examine suspected financial and administrative violations, particularly cases involving public revenues, official records, and abuse of public office.