An Iraqi court sentenced MP Mohammed al-Karbouli to two years in prison today (Thursday) after convicting him in a bribery case, a new step in the ongoing judicial campaign against those involved in corruption.

The Supreme Judicial Council or the competent judicial authorities did not issue a statement revealing the details of the case or the facts on which the ruling was based, nor was it clear whether the decision was final or still subject to appeal under legal procedures.

The verdict coincides with a notable escalation in Iraqi authorities' efforts to recover public funds and pursue corruption suspects, as earlier today the judiciary announced the seizure of 25 billion Iraqi dinars (about $19 million), in addition to $200,000 and four kilograms of gold, within the investigations into the case of the suspended Deputy Oil Minister for Refining Affairs, Adnan al-Jumaili.

The judicial authorities had previously announced the recovery of 375 kilograms of gold and the seizure of real estate and factories estimated to be worth about 69 billion Iraqi dinars, within the same case, which is considered one of the most prominent corruption files in Iraq in recent years.

Baghdad confirms that its judicial campaign is ongoing to pursue all those involved in corruption cases and recover funds and assets obtained from financial crimes, stressing that all procedures are carried out according to the law, and that determining responsibilities and proving charges remain within the competence of the judiciary.