Iraq Could Amnesty Those Arrested In New Anti-Corruption Campaign

Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council said it may give amnesty to those recently arrested for corruption

In January 2025 Iraq’s parliament passed a new amnesty law which allowed those accused of corruption to go free if they promised to return the money they stole. It was a way for the state to recover some of its missing funds while not prosecuting officials which could lead to political problems since they were often working for the elite. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi may apply that same law to those he recently arrested in his anti-graft campaign.

 

The Supreme Judicial Council which is working closely with PM Zaidi said it would use two strategies to deal with corruption cases. One was to punish the accused and the second was to recover money. It said that the 2025 amnesty law could be used in some of the cases.

 

The problem with the amnesty law was exposed the same day the Council made its announcement. The judiciary defended its handling of the $2.5 billion Heist of the Century where it released businessman Noor Zuhair on bail in 2023 under the law. He promised to give back the money that he stole. He did return $279 million of the $1.24 billion he owed but then left Iraq. The Council gave him a 10 year prison sentence in absentia but still offered him a waiver if he repaid the money he still owed.

 

This highlighted two trends which have occurred in corruption cases since 2003. The first is that the courts are unwilling to prosecute people and second that the accused often leave the country to avoid any punishments. Given that history it was to be expected that Zuhair would flee Iraq after he was released. The judges probably expected it because they were either under pressure from the ruling parties which Zuhair worked with or were members of those same lists.

 

The same thing can be predicted to happen if the amnesty law is applied to those that PM Zaidi has just arrested. It is a way to claim that corruption is being prosecuted while people are actually being let off. It allows the system to continue and those guilty to go unpunished.

 

SOURCES

 

Iraqi News, “Iraq sentences Noor Zuhair, 12 others in $2.5 Billion corruption case,” 7/10/26

 

Middle East Monitor, “Iraq sentences 12 tax employees in ‘heist of the century’ corruption case,” 7/10/26

 

The National, “Mercy for Iraqi criminals who return corruption profits,” 7/10/26

 

Rudaw, “Iraq judiciary defends handling of $2.5B graft case, cites fund recovery push,” 7/10/26