OCCRP

Colombian authorities have arrested the wife and daughter of a gang leader from Ecuador, according to the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project. The arrests come amid an ongoing crackdown on criminal groups driving violence in Ecuador, and relatives of gang bosses are increasingly being targeted as part of cross-border law enforcement cooperation.

Investigative outlet OCCRP reports that commodity trader Trafigura bought Venezuelan gold in March under what was described as a 'historic' agreement involving US authorities, but months later the gold remains in storage and has not been delivered. The report raises questions about the deal's execution and the broader arrangement involving Venezuelan gold and US sanctions policy, drawing attention among readers following sanctions, commodities and Venezuela-related news.

An Iraqi lawmaker has been sentenced to seven years in prison and fined $21 million after being convicted of illicit enrichment, according to the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project. The case underscores ongoing concerns about corruption among Iraq's political elite and is drawing attention among journalists and observers tracking accountability efforts in the country.

A Lithuanian mayor has been found guilty in an expense fraud case, according to the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project. The conviction concludes a corruption prosecution involving misuse of official expenses. The case is being shared as part of wider coverage of political corruption in Lithuania and follows the investigative outlet's reporting on abuses of public office.