Iraq is planning to request the assistance of Interpol in apprehending former high-ranking officials, including a former finance minister and former intelligence chief, for allegedly stealing over $2.5 billion from the country’s Tax Commission. According to Iraqi officials, the scandal revolves around suspected illicit withdrawals of cash from the Commission between 2021 and 2022, totaling approximately $2.5 billion. This amount is alarming, even for a country that frequently ranks as one of the most corrupt in the world.
The head of Iraq’s Integrity Commission, Judge Haider Hanoun, announced the intention to seek Interpol Red Notices on Sunday. Hanoun further stated that the judiciary would also request notices for the private secretary and political advisor to former Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi. Both al-Kadhimi and former finance minister Ali Allawi have denied any involvement in the alleged corruption, which came to light after a new government assumed power late last year.
In August 2022, Allawi resigned from the government, citing political interference and corruption in his work. He later disclosed that he had taken actions to prevent theft at the Tax Commission, but his decisions were disregarded by other officials. Reuters was unable to reach the other officials for comment.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has prioritized combating the widespread corruption that permeates the Iraqi government and has led to the embezzlement of untold billions of dollars from the country’s oil wealth over the years.
Hanoun added that those implicated in the corruption scheme, for whom he is seeking Red Notices, have allegedly taken at least 100 billion Iraqi dinars ($77 million). The total number of suspects connected to the case exceeds 48 individuals.
($1 = 1,300 Iraqi dinars)
Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed and Timour Azhari; Editing by Hugh Lawson
Credit: The Star : News Feed
