BAGHDAD (AFP) – An Iraqi court sentenced to prison former senior officials, a businessman and others for involvement in the theft of USD2.5 billion in public funds – one of Iraq’s biggest corruption cases.
The three most high-profile individuals sentenced – businessman Nour Zuhair, as well as former prime minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi’s Cabinet director Raed Jouhi and a former adviser, Haitham al-Juburi – are on the run and were tried in absentia.
The scandal, dubbed the “heist of the century”, has sparked widespread anger in Iraq, which is ravaged by rampant corruption, unemployment and decaying infrastructure after decades of conflict.
A criminal court in Baghdad specialising in corruption cases issued the prison sentences ranging from three to 10 years, a statement from Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council said.
Thirteen people received sentences, according to Member of Parliament Mostafa Sanad.
Most of them, 10, are from Iraq’s tax authority and include its former director and deputy, he added on his Telegram channel.
