$57 million in cash. 27 kilograms of pure gold. And, as if the looting were not enough, gold-plated underwear hidden among her belongings. That is what Iraqi authorities found in the home of lawmaker Hind Al-Abbasi during a dawn raid in Baghdad.
It was not an isolated case. The operation, ordered by the government of Prime Minister Ali al-Za’id, ended with 47 people detained, including seven lawmakers and several senior officials. Ammunition and dozens of properties bought with money that was supposed to belong to everyone were also found in their homes.
While Iraq struggles with poverty and a crisis in basic services, some of those who swore to represent the people were amassing fortunes in gold under the bed. Al-Za’id promised there will be no concessions and that the list of those under investigation will keep growing. The question that remains hanging is simple: how many more like her are still undiscovered?
