New Iraqi leaked video provokes outrage over ministerial corruption

A new leak in Iraq has sparked a wave of outrage on social media, after a video clip of the former minister of industry, Saleh al-Jubouri, was circulated taking an oath of allegiance to the head of his party in the management of the ministry. 

On Friday the Iraqi blogger Ali Fadel, who had previously leaked audio clips attributed to former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, published the new leak on Twitter. 

In the the one minute video, Saleh al-Jubouri appears to be taking the oath with his hand on the Quran and swearing that after assuming his duties as minister of industry, he would be absolutely loyal to the head of his party, MP Ahmed Al-Jubouri - also known as Abu Mazen.

وزير الصناعة صالح الجبوري يؤدي القسم لأحمد الجبوري ( ابو مازن ) ان يكون هو والوزارة تحت إمرة ابو مازن ومصالحه وتوجهاته قبل استلام الوزارة بيوم واحد .
الوزير في العراق هو لخدمة رئيس الكتلة وليس الشعب .
نسخه منه الى الشعب والقضاء العراقي .#حرب_التسريبات pic.twitter.com/oDG4EESV9Y

— Ali Fadhil _ علي فاضل (@ali_alifadhil) August 19, 2022

The video clip has led to widespread criticism of how state institutions are run, as well as the role of the judiciary, which has been accused of standing by and "watching" the leaks scandals. 

Commenting on the video, which has gone viral on Iraqi social media, MP Majid Shanqali said that "corruption in Iraq is systemic - and has become a prevailing culture in which ministries and state departments and their positions are considered business projects for their owners.”

“Some ministers and officials, whether they swear by the Quran or not,  will be in the service of their respective mullah, so do not be surprised by any leak you see or hear about corruption.”

At the end of July, a freshly leaked set of audio recordings of former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki insulting prominent leaders and inciting sectarian divisions threatened to destabilise Iraq even further.

The former premier can be heard insulting a number of senior Shia political figures, including election front runner Moqtada al-Sadr.

Meanwhile, Iraq’s political deadlock is waiting to find out whether al-Sadr will take part in the next round of talks to try and find a path through to form an Iraqi government.