Manhunt by Interpol
Iraq pursues billions in fraud by ex-finance minister
08/07/2023 01:07 am
Over the past two years, billions of dollars have disappeared from an account held by the Iraqi Tax Commission. Dozens of people are said to be behind this “robbery of the century,” including the former finance minister. Curiously, the money is said to have been withdrawn in cash.
Iraq wants to have former finance minister Ali Allawi and other high-ranking officials on the manhunt for possible fraud involving billions of dollars at Interpol. Haider Hanoun, the top Iraqi anti-corruption official in Baghdad, said it was about allegedly illegal cash withdrawals worth around $2.5 billion.
The money disappeared from a tax commission account in 2021 and 2022. In total, more than 48 people were suspected. Iraq is working to extradite them from a number of countries including the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The United States and Great Britain would also have to extradite fugitive suspects.
The allegations were first made in late 2022, shortly after a new government led by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani came to power. Ex-Finance Minister Allawi has denied the allegations. He had resigned a year ago, citing political interference in government work and bribery. He has also stated that he has taken measures to prevent theft in the Tax Commission. But that was ignored by other officials.
Dubbed the “heist of the century” in Iraq, the case sparked outrage in the oil-rich state, which critics say is plagued by corruption. The country’s current prime minister, Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, has pledged to crack down on corruption since his appointment in late October.