Iraq PM orders oil smuggling suspects to face prosecution

Iraq’s Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has dismissed several senior security officials over allegations of an oil smuggling operation worth up to $30 million a month. Nine senior figures have been relieved of their duties, including the police chief of Babil province in central Iraq and senior security and intelligence officials. The Prime Minister has also ordered those involved in smuggling in the town of Jurf al-Nasr, southwest of Baghdad, to be referred for prosecution. The move follows an investigation that uncovered illegal oil refineries and evidence of manipulation linked to smuggling. Al Jazeera’s Peter Smith says the area is a known stronghold of a powerful pro-Iranian armed group, and that previous prime ministers avoided acting there. No one from the group has been named or implicated so far. Al-Zaidi says no part of Iraq will be allowed to host such operations, and that anyone implicated will be referred to the judiciary. Al Jazeera’s Peter Smith reports from Baghdad. Subscribe to our channel: bit.ly
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