Iraq Reveals Over US$2 Trillion in Public Funds Stolen Over 23 Years
Iraqi authorities have revealed a staggering figure regarding alleged corruption in the country since 2003. A senior official stated that more than US$2 trillion (Rp 35,920 trillion) in public funds is suspected to have been stolen over more than two decades.
The statement was made by the legal advisor to the Prime Minister of Iraq, Munir Haddad, during an interview with Iraqi state television. He described the scale of corruption and illicit wealth in the country as ‘beyond reason’.
According to Haddad, investigations into corruption suspects are still ongoing, meaning the exact number of perpetrators cannot yet be confirmed. Security forces are reportedly conducting raids and making arrests almost daily as part of the anti-corruption operation.
He explained that confessions from several suspects have helped authorities identify a wider corruption network. Some suspects were reported to have attempted to flee beyond the central government’s jurisdiction, including to the Kurdistan region, before some were eventually apprehended.
The list of suspects, according to Haddad, includes high-ranking active and former government officials, as well as members of parliament. The cases under investigation involve not only the embezzlement of state funds but also the possession of assets whose origins cannot be explained.
Under Iraqi law, such cases can be classified as money laundering offences. Haddad also revealed that the assets discovered belonging to some officials were shocking. In one case, the wife of a suspect purchased property worth US$5 million. Several other officials were found to own more than 50 properties registered under their own names or those of family members.
The Iraqi government has affirmed that the trials of the corruption defendants will be conducted openly. This measure is part of the anti-corruption campaign intensified by the administration of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani since he took office some time ago.