Iraq has activated a weapon of justice by giving Interpol the authority to issue Red Notices to hunt down and arrest former senior officials for their involvement in the heist of more than $2.5 billion from the country's Tax Commission. Iraq's top anti-corruption official, Integrity Commission chief Judge Haider Hanoun, made the announcement on Sunday, seeking notice to capture those even on the periphery of the scandalous crime, such as Mustafa, al-Kadhimi’s private secretary and political adviser. 

The scandal surrounds suspected illegitimate cash withdrawals from the Tax Commission between 2021 and 2022, totaling $2.5 billion.

Despite its staggering amount, this grandiose theft is only one of many shameful scandals that taint the reputation of a nation known as one of the most corrupt in the world. Kadhimi and Allawi have vehemently denied any involvement in the alleged corruption.

Allawi tore away from the government in August 2022, his voice like thunder as he roared accusations of political obstruction and corruption. He had desperately tried to stop pilfering at the Tax Commission, but no one had listened.  

The current Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, declared a vendetta against the rampant thievery draining Iraq’s valuable oil wealth and appointed Hanoun to pursue justice.

Hanoun demanded Red Notices for all those involved in the corrupt theft of at least 100 billion Iraqi dinars ($77 million), and 48 suspects were named. He called on the U.S. and UK to extradite wanted persons and demanded justice in Iraq and the UAE, Turkey, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.