Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani announced that more than 182 billion Iraqi dinars (about $125 million) previously stolen from tax authorities have been returned to the state treasury. His words at the press conference in Baghdad, DEA News.
“The authorities managed to return the first part of the (funds. – socialbites.ca) exceeding 182 billion dinars,” said Al-Sudani.
According to him, the commission of inquiry identified those who contributed to the embezzlement of trust funds. Among them were employees of the tax inspectorate and other supervisory authorities.
Iraqi officials in October announced immediately asked 27 officials from the country’s former government. A spokesperson for the Iraqi Integration Commission said the defendants included four ministers from the Alevi government – former Defense Minister Hazem Shaalan, as well as former labor, transport, energy and housing ministers. Dozens of employees of the Iraqi Ministry of Defense were also placed on the wanted list.
Iraqi investigators believe authorities spent between $1 billion and $2.5 billion buying weapons at inflated prices. It was alleged that the difference between the actual price of the guns and the alleged price went into the pockets of the authorities.