Laith al-Junaidi from Istanbul (Anadolu)

These arrests come as part of an extensive anti-corruption campaign in Iraqi government institutions.

The Iraqi Integrity Commission said on Tuesday that it arrested 3 senior officers in the Ministry of Defense and 5 engineers, on suspicion of 'corruption and violations' related to a contract to rehabilitate a military hospital, with a value exceeding 92 billion Iraqi dinars, equivalent to about $70 million.

The commission said in a statement carried by the Iraqi News Agency 'INA' that the arrest operation included officers with the ranks of Major General, Brigadier General, and Colonel, in addition to 5 engineers working in the Directorate of Military Works.

It explained that the arrest came 'on the background of corruption suspicions that accompanied the contract for rehabilitating, developing, and furnishing the Air Force Hospital in the Rustamiyah area of the capital Baghdad.'

It added that a field team tasked with auditing and investigating Ministry of Defense contracts, in cooperation with the Rapid Response Forces, executed arrest warrants issued against the accused by the judge of the Central Anti-Corruption Criminal Investigation Court.

According to the commission, auditing and investigation processes revealed 'suspicions of financial and administrative corruption and serious violations' in the procedures for awarding the contract and its pricing mechanisms.

It pointed out that the contract was concluded between the Directorate of Military Works and a foreign company, with a value exceeding 92 billion Iraqi dinars.

The Integrity Commission clarified that the contract was awarded through direct contracting, without following the approved price competition procedures, in addition to a significant exaggeration in the prices of a number of its items.

It added that several amendments were made to the contract, leading to a noticeable increase in its estimated cost.

The commission confirmed that a formal seizure report was prepared for the operation, which was carried out according to the provisions of Article 340 of the Iraqi Penal Code.

It indicated that the accused and the seized items were presented to the competent investigating judge, pending completion of legal procedures and determination of their fate.

These developments come amid an intensive security and judicial campaign that Iraq has been witnessing for weeks to pursue suspicions of financial and administrative corruption in state institutions.

Iraqi authorities have announced, within this campaign, the arrest of dozens of suspects in major corruption cases, including deputies and officials, some of whom had their legal immunity lifted pending investigation.

Part of the ongoing investigations is linked to statements made by former Deputy Oil Minister Adnan al-Jumaili, who was detained on suspicion of wasting public funds and signing contracts that violate the law, after his dismissal from his position on June 2.

The mentioned contract is 92 billion dinars to rehabilitate the Air Force Hospital in the Rustamiyah area of Baghdad, and it was awarded through direct contracting without competition, according to the commission. The commission indicated that the contract amendments significantly raised its estimated cost. This arrest comes within the Integrity Commission's efforts to combat corruption in the military sector.