Iraq requests international assistance in extraditing former officials involved in $2.5 billion corruption scandal

Iraq plans to request Interpol to issue international alerts for the arrest of former senior officials, including an ex-finance minister and an ex-intelligence chief, over the suspected theft of over $2.5 billion from the country's Tax Commission. The scandal involves alleged illegitimate cash withdrawals from a Commission bank account between 2021 and 2022. Iraq's top anti-corruption official announced the move, stating that more than 48 people are suspected of involvement. The country is also working to extradite individuals involved in the theft from several states, while the businessman considered a prominent suspect has recovered a significant amount of stolen funds since being released on bail.