US Delegation in Lebanon to Discuss Israel ‘Pilot Zone’ Withdrawal, Says Official

Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council is advancing a proposal to merge accountability for corruption with the recovery of public funds, potentially offering leniency to defendants who voluntarily return embezzled money. The initiative, which involves amendments to the General Amnesty Law, could lead to reduced legal measures or lighter sentences for those cooperating with authorities.

The council stated its dual objective is to hold perpetrators of financial and administrative corruption accountable while simultaneously recovering state funds. They believe these goals can be achieved by streamlining legal procedures or lessening sentences, provided they remain within constitutional and legal boundaries. This approach mirrors a strategy previously employed in the "Heist of the Century" case.

In the "Heist of the Century" case, centered on the fraudulent withdrawal of tax deposits, businessman Noor Zuhair was reportedly released on bail by the head of the Supreme Judicial Council and then-Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. This arrangement was contingent on Zuhair repaying the embezzled funds in installments and receiving a reduced sentence. The initial recovery amounted to approximately $252 million out of over $1.12 billion owed by two companies involved in the scheme.

However, Zuhair later fled Iraq, halting further repayments. He was subsequently tried in absentia and sentenced to 10 years in prison, with extradition proceedings initiated. His lawyer has since requested that Zuhair be covered by the amended amnesty law in exchange for repaying the remaining funds. The court is awaiting the Finance Ministry's opinion as the injured party on this proposed repayment mechanism, leaving the request pending. Additionally, 12 employees of the General Commission for Taxes have been sentenced for facilitating the withdrawals and may also qualify for reduced sentences under the amended law after paying compensation.

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its objective is to both hold perpetrators of financial and administrative corruption accountable and recover state funds, adding that these goals could be achieved by easing legal procedures or reducing sentences “within constitutional and legal limits.”