Damascus, May 23 (SANA) Syria’s Ministry of Finance has announced a sweeping anti-corruption campaign targeting employees, legal agents and accountants across several provinces, with disciplinary measures imposed on 256 individuals, Finance Minister Mohammed Yisr Barnieh said on Saturday.
In a statement published on his Facebook page, Barnieh said the measures are part of broader efforts to strengthen integrity and improve transparency within state financial institutions.
According to the minister, 94 employees working in finance directorates in Damascus, Damascus countryside, Aleppo, Homs, Hama, Latakia, Tartous and Daraa were suspended from duty and referred for formal investigation over violations.
The ministry also referred 25 recently resigned former finance employees to the committee responsible for investigating illicit enrichment cases.
In addition, authorities barred 123 licensed transaction agents from entering Ministry of Finance buildings and provincial finance directorates nationwide. The ministry said the agents are prohibited from handling financial transactions “until further notice,” adding that the relevant professional associations were contacted to revoke their licenses.
The ministry further requested the Accounting and Auditing Council to cancel the licenses of 14 certified accountants and refer them to disciplinary and legal proceedings.
Barnieh said the government is determined to “eradicate corruption without leniency” in all institutions affiliated with the ministry, adding that additional investigations and disciplinary actions are expected in state-owned banks, the General Commission for Taxes and Fees, the Insurance and Pensions Institution and other financial bodies.
The minister also warned against fraudulent import practices, pledging continued action to protect public funds from “fictitious importers and those backing them.”
At the same time, Barnieh said anti-corruption measures would be accompanied by administrative reforms aimed at improving public services, simplifying procedures and expanding digital services. He added that the ministry is working on an incentive system to strengthen institutional discipline and compliance.
ABD
