Expanding the scope of the investigation into the manipulation of dollar sales to travelers in Baghdad
Expanding the scope of the investigation into the manipulation of dollar sales to travelers in Baghdad
2026-01-17 00:32
Shafaq News – Baghdad
An informed source revealed on Saturday that the investigation into the manipulation of dollar sales to travelers at the Rafidain Bank outlet at Baghdad International Airport has been expanded.
The source, speaking to Shafaq News Agency, indicated that the names of other officials and employees were included in the case file, based on an official document recently issued by the Ministry of Finance, in preparation for investigating them and taking the necessary legal measures against those involved.
He added that investigations are still ongoing to uncover all the circumstances of the case, and to determine the extent of the violations and administrative and legal responsibilities within the framework of the regulatory authorities’ efforts to enhance transparency and prevent any abuses or waste of public funds or citizens’ rights.
Another source reported on January 10 that the Iraqi Ministry of Finance had reopened the investigation into the manipulation of dollar sales to travelers at the Rafidain Bank outlet at Baghdad International Airport.
The source told Shafaq News Agency that Rafidain Bank, based on a directive from the Ministry of Finance, summoned 20 of its officials and employees for questioning regarding this issue, adding that the bank set January 15 and 22 as the dates for questioning those officials and employees.
Documents issued by the state bank showed that, based on the Ministry of Finance/Inclusion Committee letter No. (629) of Al-Rafidain Bank dated 2/18/2025, official invitations were sent to the defendants in the case to attend the headquarters of the Inclusion Committee at the bank in order to investigate them and record their statements regarding the violations attributed to them.
Finance Minister Taif Sami had previously issued a decision to suspend the director of Rafidain Bank, Ali Al-Fatlawi, and more than 20 officials and employees on suspicion of manipulating the sale of dollars at Baghdad International Airport, in addition to other violations.
However, the minister later reversed her decision and lifted the suspension of the employees accused in the case, according to an official document, amid information indicating that the file was settled as a result of political pressure that led to the closure of the investigation and the absence of any recommendations for penalties against the accused.
The minister also decided to reinstate Rafidain Bank director Ali Al-Fatlawi to his position after about 40 days of his suspension, while the employees involved in the case were transferred to departments in the Ministry of Finance before being returned to their original positions a few days later, also due to political pressure, according to informed sources.
An informed source said that the decisions to suspend him came after several accusations were made regarding the squandering of public funds and mismanagement, as well as suspicions of manipulation in the cases of selling dollars and gold bullion within the bank.
The decision to reopen the investigation comes amid growing calls to hold those involved accountable and to promote integrity and transparency in the work of state-owned banks, particularly at the bank branch in Baghdad International Airport, according to the source.
In 2025, Rafidain Bank opened a new branch at Baghdad International Airport to provide banking services and facilities to citizens.
An informed source revealed at the end of last year that the process of selling dollars to travelers by Al-Rafidain Bank is done through electronic booking days before the travel date, describing it as a complex mechanism compared to other banks and exchange companies.
The source, who spoke to Shafaq News Agency, explained that banks and other exchange companies rely on direct sales, where Iraqi dinars are deposited and dollars are delivered on the same day without complicated procedures, while Al-Rafidain Bank requires its customers to make prior reservations through the electronic platform.
He explained that the dollar is received from the Rafidain Bank outlet at Baghdad International Airport at the official rate set at (1320) dinars per dollar, noting that there were many demands to adopt direct sales without electronic reservation or imposing conditions he described as “impossible” but the bank did not respond to those demands.
The source pointed out that Al-Rafidain Bank had previously suspended the sale of dollars due to suspicions of corruption and embezzlement of foreign currency, which led to the opening of a broad investigation into the matter, stressing that the results of the investigation are still unclear.
shafaq.com
