Iraq’s Federal Commission of Integrity announced on Friday the formation of a special task force to investigate an alleged attempt to smuggle 61 examination booklets, amid growing public concern over the integrity of the country’s examination system.
In a statement, the commission said the team will examine the circumstances surrounding the case, verify information circulating about the incident, and trace how the examination booklets were removed. Investigators will also identify any individuals or entities linked to the alleged smuggling operation before submitting their findings to the relevant judicial authorities for legal action.
The commission said the investigation falls within its mandate to promote integrity in state institutions, monitor public-sector performance, and prevent violations that undermine institutional accountability and public trust.
“The safety of examinations and the preservation of equal opportunities among students are essential pillars of the integrity of the educational process,” the statement said.
The announcement comes after reports emerged that dozens of examination booklets had been seized at Baghdad International Airport while allegedly being smuggled out of the country. According to local media reports, more than 50 booklets were confiscated, including seven that reportedly contained fully completed answers attributed to a student connected to influential figures.
Earlier on Friday, Iraq’s Ministry of Education sought to reassure the public, stating that the seized documents were not related to the ministerial examinations for the 2025–2026 academic year.
The ministry said its legal department had conducted a preliminary review of the documents before referring the matter to the Permanent Examination Committee for technical verification and comparison.
The case surfaced shortly after the ministry warned against the spread of unverified claims on social media regarding leaked examination questions and potential exam postponements. Officials stressed that the ongoing investigation would not affect preparations for nationwide examinations.
On Thursday, Iraqi lawmaker Bassem al-Gharabi announced the outcome of a meeting with the Minister of Education, saying measures had been agreed upon to strengthen examination integrity and safeguard students’ rights in light of the allegations surrounding the examination booklets and possible leaks.
The investigation is expected to determine whether the incident was an isolated case or part of a broader scheme that could undermine confidence in Iraq’s education system.
