Iraq has issued arrest warrants against Trade Minister Milas Muhammad Abdul Karim and his brother Nehru on corruption charges.
The pair's case has been transferred to a specialized anticorruption court in Baghdad, a judiciary spokesman said in an October 18 statement.
Two officials at the Trade Ministry's legal section told Reuters that the minister faced charges related to accepting bribes, receiving illegal benefits, and misusing his position.
Iraqi media said Abdul Karim is suspected of awarding contracts without tenders to firms linked to his Jordan-based brother Nehru.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi announced steps cracking down on corruption in August.
Abdul Karim is among the most senior officials to face judicial action since the campaign was announced.
Last week, arrest warrants were issued for several former officials at the Electricity Ministry and the Baghdad municipality for alleged graft.
