The Iraqi Commission of Integrity announced on Sunday that the Kirkuk Criminal Court has sentenced Hana Abdulkarim Bayati, the former head of the Land Department at the Kirkuk Tax Office, to a total of 10 years in prison on corruption charges. The sentencing was carried out in absentia, as Bayati remains at large.

Bayati was convicted on two separate counts of corruption. In the first case, she received a six-year prison sentence under Article 160 II/1 of 1983 for accepting bribes to unlawfully process citizens’ transactions. The second case resulted in a four-year sentence under Article 331 of the Penal Code for tampering with property records in violation of legal guidelines. The court also issued arrest warrants, ordered the confiscation of her assets, and imposed a travel ban.

This ruling is part of Iraq’s ongoing efforts to combat corruption, which has plagued the country for years. In recent years, several high-profile public officials have been convicted on similar charges. For instance, the former speaker of the Kirkuk Provincial Council was previously sentenced in absentia to six years in prison for mismanaging public funds. Additionally, four former members of the dissolved Kirkuk Provincial Council received 15-year sentences for unlawfully seizing government vehicles.

Despite these efforts, Iraq continues to face significant challenges in its fight against corruption. Many cases involve officials who evade justice, raising concerns about the enforcement of sentences, particularly when convicted individuals remain at large. The judiciary has taken steps to prosecute offenders, but the effectiveness of these measures is often undermined by the inability to apprehend those convicted.

The sentencing of Bayati highlights the persistent issue of corruption within Iraq’s public institutions and underscores the need for stronger enforcement mechanisms to ensure accountability and transparency. As Iraq works to rebuild its institutions and restore public trust, the prosecution of corrupt officials remains a critical component of its reform agenda.