Embezzlement of funds allocated for ISIS victims reveals the extent of corruption in Iraq
Iraqi authorities arrest more than 30 suspects, including high-ranking officials in various government bodies, including pension funds and the Martyrs Foundation, in a case involving the embezzlement of around 800 million dollars
The Iraqi National Security Agency announced the uncovering of a corruption scheme involving fraud and embezzlement of funds allocated for victims of the Islamic State, amounting to approximately 1 trillion Iraqi dinars (760 million dollars). This new case reveals the extent of corruption within Iraqi institutions, despite the efforts of Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani to address the phenomenon.
Official Iraqi media reported that a three-month investigation led to the arrest of more than 30 suspects, including high-ranking officials in various government bodies, such as pension funds and the Martyrs Foundation. This case is expected to generate considerable debate similar to the “Grand Theft Century” case.
The accused in the case, which took place in the Anbar province, falsified transfers related to retirement pensions for users with fabricated identities and credit card data, in addition to trafficking in confidential data. Official media reported that the misappropriated funds amounted to more than 1 trillion and 32 billion Iraqi dinars.
The Islamic State organization seized parts of Iraq in 2014, controlling nearly a third of its territory before being defeated and declared defeated in the country by the end of 2017.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani stated that one of his priorities is to combat the widespread corruption in Iraqi state institutions, which has led to the theft of billions from its oil wealth over the years. Critics argue that the anti-corruption campaigns carried out by Iraqi authorities target their political opponents.
Al-Sudani has managed to expose several corruption cases in Iraq, including the infamous “Grand Theft Century,” where senior state officials were implicated in embezzling 2.5 billion dollars. The United States confirms the role of Iranian militias in the spread of corruption in various sectors.
Security forces have arrested several former officials, including ministers, on corruption charges. In March, Iraqi judiciary issued arrest warrants for four former officials, including a former finance minister and associates of former Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi (2020-2022). Baghdad says these individuals are abroad.
In recent months, Iraq has dismantled a network consisting of officials from five ministries, including sovereignty ministries, working to forge contracts by attributing them to high-ranking authorities in the Iraqi state, indicating that corruption has reached various levels in the Iraqi state.
However, observers believe that corruption also affects leaders and officials associated with Iran, but their political and military influence makes them immune to any consequences.
Iraq ranks 157 out of 180 in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, while Iraqis have demonstrated in recent years demanding to restrain the corrupt and recover embezzled funds.
