Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani on Monday said stolen state funds must be ‘returned’ as his office began a crackdown to curb corruption.
Since assuming office a few weeks ago, Mr Al Sudani has called for reforms and pledged to fight endemic corruption. It is a promise heard from every prime minister after taking the position. However, little has been achieved.
Over the years, corruption in the Iraqi system has increased poverty and unemployment while transferring billions of dollars of public money into the pockets of top officials.
The country is now ranked 157th out of 180 countries on a global corruption index, among the most corrupt states in the world, according to Transparency International.
“Stolen funds must be returned, and there will be no credibility from anti-corruption efforts unless we prove to the Iraqi citizens the possibility of recovering and protecting these funds,” Mr Al Sudani said.
A political storm was created last month after Iraq's judiciary said it has traced and seized some of the $2.5 billion stolen from state funds, an amount lost after an office in the finance ministry issued money to fake companies.
The scandal came to light when former oil minister Ihsan Abdul Jabbar ordered an investigation when he was acting finance minister.
Documents related to the investigation showed the amount was stolen from the General Tax Authority's trust account held by a branch of the Rafidain Bank.
The money was fraudulently paid to five companies by the General Commission of Taxes, which is linked to the finance ministry.
Between September 9, 2021, and August 11, 2022, 247 cheques were made to transfer the money from the commission's account.
This latest case is one of the biggest corruption scandals in Iraq since 2003.
In 2005, authorities issued arrest warrants for former defence minister Hazim Al Shaalan and more than 10 officials in a massive fraud case involving more than $1 billion.
Tenet
Director: Christopher Nolan
Stars: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, Kenneth Branagh
Rating: 5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Nancy 9 (Hassa Beek)
Nancy Ajram
(In2Musica)
KEY%20DATES%20IN%20AMAZON'S%20HISTORY
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
About Takalam
Date started: early 2020
Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech and wellness
Number of staff: 4
Funding to date: Bootstrapped
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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China
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UAE
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Canada
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Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
