The accused in what is known in Iraq and internationally as the "Theft of the Century," Noor Zuhair, who is charged with stealing tax trust funds in Iraq amounting to 3.7 trillion Iraqi dinars (approximately 1.5 billion dollars), stated that this money does not belong to the state treasury. He indicated that he would expose many of those involved in an open trial.
In an interview with Al-Sharqiya TV, Zuhair claimed that the funds in his possession relate to "certificates and transactions audited by the Integrity Commission, and they are not state funds," emphasizing that "not a single dinar belongs to the state."
He also stated that "the theft of tax funds should be referred to as the lie of tax funds," adding that "one of the current lawmakers, who is now making a fuss, requested a house from me with a land area of 1200 square meters, provided it was on Princess Street (the Mansour area in Baghdad)."
Zuhair confirmed that if he were tried, he would reveal all the names involved in the case, especially if the trial were public. The Central Anti-Corruption Criminal Court set today, Wednesday, August 14, as the date for "Noor Zuhair's" trial.
Iraqi MP Mustafa Sand announced on Wednesday the postponement of the trial of the primary accused in the tax trust case, known as "The Theft of the Century," to the end of August.
"The Theft of the Century" involves the disappearance of 3.7 trillion Iraqi dinars, equivalent to about 2.5 billion dollars, from tax trust funds, which was uncovered by several relevant parties about two months before the end of the term of the previous Iraqi government led by Mustafa Al-Kadhimi. A formal letter issued by the Tax Authority revealed that 2.5 billion dollars were withdrawn between September 2021 and August 2022 from the government Rafidain Bank through 247 financial certificates, which were issued to five companies that cashed them directly, according to reports by "France Press."
Following the revelation of the theft, the Integrity Commission and the judiciary moved to investigate the case, and several judicial arrest orders were issued, with businessman Noor Zuhair being the first arrested.
Noor Zuhair is an Iraqi businessman and the managing director of "Al-Mubdi'oun" Limited Oil Services Company. His full name is "Noor Zuhair Jassim Al-Muthafar," and he is known by the nickname "Abu Fatima," born in Baghdad in 1980. He previously worked in Iraqi ports before serving as an advisor in the office of the former head of the parliamentary finance committee, according to an earlier report by the "Kurdistan Radio."
Reports indicate that "Noor Zuhair" owns more than 20 luxurious properties in Baghdad, in addition to funds and companies. On October 24, 2022, "Noor Zuhair" was arrested while attempting to flee abroad via Baghdad International Airport on a private jet.
