More than 40 days have passed since the "dangerous" convict Ahmed Shaiy escaped from a prison in Basra, and security forces have yet to locate him. Despite repeated claims by security agencies of advancements in locating perpetrators using cameras, they still do not know Shaiy's whereabouts, nor have they officially announced whether he has fled the country or remains within Iraq.
On February 19, over 40 days ago, Ahmed Shaiy escaped. He owns a company that has contracts for the construction of the Al-Faw port project and is accused of murdering the director of Daewoo, in addition to various acts of theft, extortion, and threats against residents and businessmen, all of which are documented through video reports and eyewitness testimonies.
Shaiy received assistance from a senior officer in the Basra province. Local and parliamentary sources revealed that Shaiy resided in a "VIP" prison, sleeping in the room of the command officer and receiving treatment in a private hospital. Furthermore, the officer responsible for his detention is the brother of Shaiy’s defense attorney.
While 10 officials, including officers and personnel, were arrested for facilitating Shaiy's escape, the Internal Security Forces Court issued severe prison sentences and dismissals from service for four officers. However, lawmakers claimed that those convicted have no connection to the case, while three main suspects remain at large, including Major Mohammed Nouri, the principal accused in Shaiy's escape.
Additionally, MP Adi Awad revealed in press statements that there are "scandals" expected to arise once the final report on the investigation into Shaiy's escape is disclosed, indicating that significant security names are "unfortunately" involved, which he believes will be shocking.
Awad confirmed that there are pressures to erase certain names due to fears of scandal or to exonerate them since their involvement might be minimal or indirect, yet they are ultimately implicated.
While Shaiy has not been arrested or located thus far, observers believe that if he has escaped outside Iraq, it represents a significant weakness for security forces, illustrating a failure to prevent his departure "right under their noses." This situation could reveal a deeper involvement in enabling his passage and travel, or he may still be outside Iraq with authorities remaining tight-lipped about his location and not taking earnest steps to search for him.
