The case of Nour Zuhair, the most prominent figure implicated in Iraq’s infamous “theft of the century,” has once again captured public attention. Recent reports from Beirut, Lebanon, claim that Zuhair was involved in a traffic accident. However, these reports have been met with widespread skepticism, with many suspecting that the story is merely a pretext to delay his impending court appearance. Critics have also raised concerns over the judiciary’s track record of granting bail to corruption suspects, who often flee the country before facing justice.

This high-profile case, often referred to as the “theft of tax deposits,” was first exposed in October 2022, triggering widespread public outrage in Iraq. The scandal revealed the involvement of former officials and influential businessmen in the embezzlement of a staggering sum—no less than $2.5 billion—between September 2021 and August 2022. The funds were siphoned off through 247 checks cashed by five companies, whose owners subsequently fled Iraq with the money.

Zuhair’s trial was originally scheduled to begin on August 14, but the proceedings were postponed when he failed to appear in court. MP Mustafa Sand confirmed the postponement on his Facebook page, further fueling suspicions about Zuhair’s intentions.

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Subsequent reports suggested that Zuhair had been injured in an accident in Beirut, raising eyebrows and leading to speculation that he might be attempting to evade his court appearance scheduled for August 27, or perhaps delay the case altogether.

Adding to the controversy, Iraqi MP Sarwa Abdul Wahid dismissed the reports of Zuhair’s accident, citing reliable sources in Beirut. She also revealed on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that the doctor who allegedly falsified Zuhair’s medical report at Saint Therese Hospital has been referred for investigatio.

The “Theft of the Century” in Iraq involved several high-profile figures, including former government officials and prominent businessmen. Here are some of the key individuals and entities reportedly involved:

• Hassan Mneimneh – A former director-general in the Iraqi Ministry of Finance. Mneimneh was implicated in the scandal for his role in facilitating the fraudulent transactions.
• Rafidain Bank Officials – Several employees of Rafidain Bank, a major state-owned bank in Iraq, were involved in the embezzlement scheme. The bank was used as the financial conduit for cashing the fraudulent checks that siphoned off billions from tax deposits.
• The Five Companies – The money was funneled through five shell companies that were created for the sole purpose of cashing the fraudulent checks. The owners of these companies quickly fled the country after the money was withdrawn, making it difficult to trace and recover the funds.
• Businessmen with Ties to the Government – Some of the businessmen involved were reported to have close ties with high-ranking government officials, which helped them in orchestrating and covering up the fraudulent scheme.
• Other Former Officials – Apart from Mneimneh, other unnamed former officials from the Ministry of Finance and other government bodies were also implicated. These officials are believed to have played crucial roles in either authorizing or turning a blind eye to the illicit transactions.

The involvement of these individuals and entities highlights the deep-rooted corruption within Iraq’s financial and governmental institutions, leading to widespread public anger and demands for accountability. Despite the efforts to prosecute those involved, many of the key figures have either fled the country or are attempting to avoid prosecution through various means, as seen in the case of Nour Zuhair.

The next trial date for Nour Zuhair has been rescheduled for August 27, 2024. This follows the postponement of the initial trial date, which was set for August 14, 2024, due to Zuhair’s failure to appear in court. The upcoming session is critical, as it could lead to further legal actions, including a potential trial in absentia or the issuance of an international arrest warrant through Interpol if Zuhair does not show up