It has been over two months since the convicted Ahmed Shai escaped, deemed one of the most dangerous "criminals" in Basra according to national security. After exceeding 60 days outside the prison walls, the state and all its security agencies still have no knowledge of Shai or how to reach him, while the Ministry of Interior and other security institutions announce advancements in security performance in Iraq.
Shai, a well-known businessman in Basra, owns a company involved in contracts for the construction of the Al-Faw port. Upon his arrest in February 2023, the National Security Agency described him as one of the most dangerous smugglers and wanted individuals in Iraq, with judicial arrest warrants issued against him for several cases related to national security, including murder and terrorism. He is also accused of killing the manager of the Korean Daewoo company, which is implementing the Al-Faw port project.
Silence continues to prevail over any information concerning Shai, and the security agencies have not provided any updates or new efforts to pursue him, having only issued judicial sentences against some personnel and officers accused of aiding Shai's escape. The main suspect who directly assisted in his escape, a high-ranking officer, has also fled and has not yet been located.
Shai received assistance from a high-ranking officer in Basra. Local and parliamentary sources revealed that Shai lived in a "VIP" prison, slept in the room of the commanding officer, and received medical treatment at a private hospital. Moreover, the officer responsible for his detention was the brother of Shai's defense attorney.
While ten personnel, including officers, have been arrested and accused of aiding Shai's escape, the Court of Internal Security Forces has issued sentences of hard labor and expulsion from service against four officers. However, deputies stated that these condemned individuals have no relation to the actual events, while three main suspects remain at large, including Major Mohammed Nouri, the primary accused in Shai's smuggling.
On another front, Deputy Adi Awad revealed in press statements that there are "scandals" to come once the final report on the investigations into Shai's escape is revealed, indicating that prominent security names are "unfortunately" involved, which he believes will be shocking.
He affirmed the presence of pressures to remove certain names from the report to avoid scandal or to clear them due to limited involvement, although they remain complicit in the situation.
While Shai has not yet been arrested or his whereabouts disclosed, observers believe that if he has indeed escaped outside Iraq, it represents a significant weakness for the security agencies, as he slipped out of the country seemingly under their watch. This may reveal deeper complicity in permitting his passage or travel, or he may still be in Iraq, with efforts being made to conceal his location and a lack of serious pursuit to find him.
However, even if he is outside Iraq, questions arise about why no international arrest warrants or red notices have been issued for his retrieval through Interpol, despite Iraqi security and oversight agencies periodically announcing the issuance of international arrest warrants and the retrieval of high-profile suspects in this manner.
