The largest financial corruption case in Iraq, known in the media as "The Theft of the Century," has entered a serious phase after the head of the Integrity Commission, Haidar Hanoun, announced on Sunday a move to organize "red notices" from Interpol against the wanted suspects, most notably the former Iraqi Minister of Finance and the head of the intelligence service, who conducted illegal cash withdrawals from taxes amounting to 2.5 billion US dollars.

The Iraqi Prime Minister, Muhammad Shia al-Sudani, described the corruption case that has struck the country over the past few years as a serious threat to the Iraqi state, more dangerous than all the threats that Iraq has faced during the past period, noting that he prioritizes fighting the rampant corruption in the country that has led to the theft of countless billions from Iraq's oil wealth over the years.

In detail, Iraqi officials recount the events of the theft scandal, which revolves around illegal cash withdrawals from the General Authority for Taxes in the country between 2021 and 2022, totaling approximately 2.5 billion dollars.

Iraq is demanding that Interpol issue international arrest warrants against the officials, and Hanoun stated that the judiciary will also request the issuance of red notices for the private secretary and political advisor to former Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi.

Al-Kadhimi and former Minister of Finance Ali Allawi denied their involvement in the corruption that reportedly came to light at the end of last year after a new government took power. Allawi resigned from the position in August 2022, citing political interference in government work and illegal gain.

He later stated that he had taken steps to prevent theft at the General Authority for Taxes, but other officials ignored his decisions.

Hanoun indicated that all those wanted in "The Theft of the Century" do not cease their acquisition of 100 billion Iraqi dinars, equivalent to only 77 million dollars, but the crime is larger than that, and the number of defendants exceeds 48 suspects.