Former Judge: Iraq Has Lost Over $2 Trillion to Corruption

Munir Haddad, the former Iraqi judge who oversaw the execution of Saddam Hussein, said corruption in Iraq since 2003 has resulted in losses exceeding $2 trillion, including public funds, state assets, real estate, and properties inside and outside the country.

Speaking on the In Short program, Haddad said the current government is showing a genuine commitment to fighting corruption. He claimed Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi had pledged to pursue all those involved without exception, with particular emphasis on reforming the electricity sector and restoring public confidence. He added that meaningful progress depends on public support and an independent judiciary.

Haddad also rejected claims that corruption was absent under Saddam Hussein, saying the former president and his family accumulated extensive wealth and properties. He noted that Iraqi courts reviewed cases involving embezzlement and abuse of power, while presidential palaces remained state-owned rather than privately registered.

He argued that Iraq's losses extend beyond oil revenues and government contracts to include land, factories, real estate, and other assets that were illegally seized or transferred, suggesting the true scale of corruption is even greater than publicly reported.

Haddad emphasized that no official should be above the law, while acknowledging that prosecuting senior figures remains influenced by Iraq's political dynamics. He added that the judiciary bases its decisions on evidence—not social media claims—and said stolen assets can still be recovered through legal channels if backed by sufficient political will and institutional support.