The Iraqi Anti-Corruption Prison Courtroom issued arrest warrants for Noor Zuhair and Haitham al-Jubouri, who’re implicated within the notorious “Theft of the Century” misappropriation case, native information businesses reported on Tuesday.
The case revolves across the misappropriation of an infinite 3.7 trillion Iraqi dinars (about $2.5 billion USD) from tax safety deposits. This main scandal was shortly uncovered simply earlier than the earlier authorities administration underneath Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi concluded its time period.
Zuhair, who as soon as served as chairman of an organization concerned within the embezzlement scheme, was initially arrested however later launched on bail. Based on Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani solely 5 p.c of the stolen funds have been recovered. Zuhair was apprehended whereas trying to flee the nation on a personal jet from Baghdad Worldwide Airport. Identified for his appreciable wealth, together with over 20 luxurious properties in Baghdad, Zuhair failed to look at a court docket session scheduled for August 27.
Al-Jubouri, the second suspect, was arrested in November 2022 by a particular anti-corruption pressure. His arrest adopted proof of unexplained wealth and confessions from Zuhair. Al-Jubouri was a former monetary advisor to the previous prime minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi and was launched on bail in early 2023 whereas investigations into his position continued.
The “Theft of the Century” scandal has uncovered the dimensions of corruption inside Iraq, with parts of the stolen funds allegedly distributed to influential figures, together with politicians and media personalities. This has led to issues that the whole quantity embezzled would possibly exceed preliminary estimates. The continuing investigation goals to establish further suspects and hint the embezzled funds, together with efforts to recuperate belongings moved overseas.
Corruption has lengthy been some of the harmful challenges dealing with Iraq, but successive governments have struggled to enhance the scenario. Transparency International at the moment ranks Iraq’s public sector as one of many 26 most corrupt on the earth, regardless of the federal government’s many efforts to reform.
The issuance of those arrest warrants indicators a renewed effort by Iraqi authorities to sort out the corruption scandal and recuperate the misappropriated funds. The authorized proceedings in opposition to Zuhair and al-Jubouri can be carefully monitored, as they could reveal additional particulars concerning the extent of the embezzlement and involvement of different figures.
Source / Picture: jurist.org
