The head of the Iraqi Federal Integrity Commission, Haider Hanoun, announced Thursday new developments in the Heist of the Century case, revealing the recovery and arrest of several suspects. 

"The main suspect, Noor Zuhair, has been granted bail and will face trial,” Hanoun said.

Hanoun said that the theft of tax deposits is under judicial review and emphasized that the Integrity Commission's role is to enforce the laws. He assured that the case remains a government priority.

The Heist of the Century involves the embezzlement of $2.5 billion from tax deposits between September 2021 and August 2022, facilitated by 247 checks issued by five companies. The funds were then withdrawn in cash, and the company owners are subject to arrest warrants.

Arrested suspects include Abdul Mahdi Tawfiq, accused of stealing over two trillion dinars as the authorized director of Al-Hout Al-Ahdab company, and Mohammed Falah Al-Janabi, the authorized director of Al-Qanat company, accused of embezzling more than one trillion dinars through 79 forged checks.

Baghdad extradited Qasim Mohammed Mohammed from the Kurdistan Region, who had fled to Turkey. As the authorized director of Al-Hout Al-Ahdab company, he is accused of embezzling 988 billion dinars.

The investigation extends beyond Iraq. 

Hanoun said a third suspect is detained in the UAE and will be extradited soon, and Kuwaiti authorities have arrested two dual nationals involved in the case, with $124 million to be recovered.

Another suspect, Alaa Khalaf Mran, who was seconded to former Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi's office, is responsible for 890 billion dinars and is currently believed to be in Lebanon or Turkey. 

Hanoun confirmed that the total amount stolen exceeds the announced figures.

The Iraqi government revealed the embezzlement in October 2022 and issued an arrest warrant for Noor Zuhair, who was captured while attempting to flee the country on a private plane. 

In March 2023, arrest warrants were issued for several officials from the previous government for facilitating the embezzlement.

On Wednesday, Iraqi state media reported that the Integrity Commission's recovery department received one of the main suspects, wanted under Article 11/444 of the Iraqi Penal Code.