DUBAI, UAE - The Third Karkh Investigation Court issued an arrest warrant Monday for Haider Hanoun, the head of Iraq's Commission of Integrity, after he failed to appear before the court in connection with corruption charges, according to a judiciary source who told The New Region.

The charges stem from allegations of corruption within the commission, which is responsible for investigating government fraud and misconduct. Hanoun had been summoned to appear before the court but did not comply, prompting the warrant, the source said.

The arrest warrant for Haider Hanoun, head of Iraq's Commission of Integrity, comes amid ongoing tensions and accusations related to Iraq's largest corruption scandal, known as the “Heist of the Century.” The scandal involves the embezzlement of billions of dollars in tax deposits, and Hanoun himself has been at the forefront of efforts to expose corruption within the government.

Last month, Hanoun publicly accused Judge Diaa Jaafar, who oversees the Integrity Court in Baghdad's Karkh district, of shielding key suspects involved in the scandal. 

Hanoun claimed that Jaafar received land illegally under the pretense of being a military officer, allegedly distributed by former Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi to secure political loyalties. He also alleged that $18 billion was lost in a railway deal, further exacerbating Iraq's financial woes.

At the same time, Hanoun’s own integrity has been called into question following leaked audio recordings that purportedly implicate him in pressuring government employees for illegal land acquisitions. Hanoun has denied these accusations, calling them rumors, and urged the Iraqi Parliament to investigate the matter.

The scandal has significantly strained relations between various branches of the Iraqi government, with Hanoun calling for a public inquiry into Judge Jaafar’s handling of the case. Meanwhile, critics have raised concerns over delays in prosecuting high-profile suspects and the lack of progress in recovering stolen funds.

This turbulent backdrop highlights the growing distrust within Iraq’s institutions as the country continues to grapple with endemic corruption.