Potential Crimes in the Foreign Currency Auction in Iraq

Authors

  • Lecturer Dr. Azhar Hasan katea Imam Alkadhim University College Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.64184/ajlps.V3.I1.Y2026.135-155.331

Keywords:

- Foreign Currency Auction - Money Laundering Crime - Currency Smuggling Crime

Abstract

Received:9 Feb 2026 Accepted:16 Feb 2026 Published:1 Jun 2026 Through examining the subject of the foreign currency auction in Iraq, this study concludes that Iraq has uniquely adopted this mechanism compared to other countries, whereby the sale of foreign currency is permitted through an auction system, also known as the “currency window.” This mechanism has placed a heavy burden on the authority responsible for managing monetary policy in Iraq, namely the Central Bank of Iraq. This burden is evident in the Bank’s significant role in supervising and monitoring the entities benefiting from the auction, foremost among them the banking sector, particularly private banks. The study reveals that these banks have failed to exercise due diligence and adequate care in auditing the financial accounts of their clients on the one hand, and the customers (traders) intending to participate in the currency auction through these banks on the other. As a result, legal violations have been identified indicating the involvement of these banks in the depletion of foreign currency through several crimes, most notably money laundering and the smuggling of foreign currency outside Iraq. This has led to serious damage to the national economy, which continues to suffer to this day from the magnitude of financial corruption in the management of public funds. Keywords: -Foreign Currency Auction – Money Laundering Crime – Currency Smuggling Crime

References

References

The Noble Quran

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1. Ahmed Mukhtar Omar, Dictionary of the Arabic Language, Vol. 1, 1st ed., Al-Qamus Al-Muhit, 2008.

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• Constitution of the Republic of Iraq (Permanent), 2005.

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1. Iraqi Legislation

• Iraqi Commercial Law No. (30) of 1984.

• Iraqi Customs Law No. (23) of 1984 (as amended).

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• Basel Declaration issued in 1988.

• French Anti-Money Laundering Law, 1996.

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• Instructions No. (2) of 2016 on Combating Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing in Palestinian Banks.

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• Decision of Al-Rusafa Misdemeanor Court (specialized in integrity, money laundering, and economic crimes), No. 94/J/2020, dated 8/3/2020.

• Judicial decision issued by Al-Rusafa Misdemeanor Court (integrity, economic crimes, and money laundering), No. 484/J/2017, dated 2/8/2017.

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1. Hussein Rajab Mohammed Mukhlef, The Lawsuit of Simulation (Sham Transaction): Its Conditions and Types, available at: www.mohamah.net, accessed on 1/1/2021.

2. Al-Yaqeen Agency, Study on How Corruption Occurs in the Currency Auction through Dollar Sales, dated 7/1/2018.

3. Article published on the website of Al-Mada Independent Newspaper, Iraq: view-almadapaper.net, accessed on 30/12/2020.

4. Article published on Al Jazeera website: www.aljazeera.net, dated 13/11/2015.

Seventh/ Reports:

• Report of the Federal Board of Supreme Audit, issued in 2010

Downloads

Published

2026-06-01

How to Cite

Potential Crimes in the Foreign Currency Auction in Iraq. (2026). Ashur Journal of Legal and Political Sciences Is Issued by the Iraqi Association of Legal Sciences, 3(2), 135-155. https://doi.org/10.64184/ajlps.V3.I1.Y2026.135-155.331

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