The former head of Iraq’s General Tax Authority has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for his involvement in a massive embezzlement scheme, the Supreme Judicial Council announced on Tuesday.

This conviction is part of the ongoing investigation into the notorious “Theft of the Century,” which saw more than $2.5 billion siphoned from Iraq’s tax deposit account.

The court found the defendant guilty of collaborating with other individuals to issue a fraudulent check in favor of a private company, marking another significant development in the high-profile case.

According to the council’s statement, the former tax authority chief’s actions were integral to the complex network that orchestrated the theft, which has left the country grappling with the fallout.

The theft, which came to light in October 2022, involved the misappropriation of more than 3 trillion Iraqi dinars (approximately $2.5 billion) through a series of fraudulent transactions.

The stolen funds were accessed via bogus checks issued by a group of five oil companies, and the case quickly became one of the largest corruption scandals in Iraqi history.

The investigation revealed that the stolen money had been deposited in the tax deposit account at Rafidain Bank, where the former head of the tax authority played a pivotal role.

In December 2024, Iraqi courts issued in-absentia sentences against several key suspects in connection with the crime.

Noor Zuhair, identified as the prime suspect in the case, received a 10-year sentence, while former member of parliament Haitham al-Jubouri was sentenced to three years.

Additionally, Raed Jouhi, the former chief of staff to ex-Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, was sentenced to six years in prison for his role in the scheme.

The theft was discovered in October 2022, following an internal investigation into discrepancies within the country’s financial system. The investigation led to the arrest of several individuals, including Zuhair, the chairman of one of the implicated companies.

Although he was released on bail, Zuhair pledged to repay the stolen funds, a promise that has yet to be fully fulfilled. His trial has been postponed several times due to his failure to appear in court, leading to continued frustration for the authorities and citizens alike.

The investigation has also implicated high-ranking officials, including former Finance Minister Ali Allawi and others closely associated with the government of ex-Prime Minister al-Kadhimi.

These revelations have sparked widespread public outrage over the extent of corruption at the highest levels of government.

The recovery of the stolen funds has been slow, with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s administration reporting only partial restitution so far.

The ongoing delays in bringing the perpetrators to justice have raised concerns about the effectiveness of Iraq’s legal system in addressing high-level corruption.

Despite the challenges, the sentencing of the former head of the General Tax Authority marks a significant milestone in the fight against corruption.

Iraqi authorities have vowed to continue pursuing those involved in the theft, with hopes that further convictions will send a strong message about the government’s commitment to rooting out corruption and restoring public trust.