An Iraqi court has sentenced former senior officials and a prominent businessman to prison for their roles in the theft of $2.5 billion in public funds, a corruption scandal described as the "heist of the century."

The sentences were handed down on Monday by a Baghdad court specializing in corruption cases. Among those convicted were businessman Nour Zuhair, former cabinet director Raed Jouhi under ex-Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi, and Kadhemi’s adviser Haitham al-Juburi. All three, tried in absentia, remain fugitives.

The court issued prison terms ranging from three to 10 years, according to Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council. In total, 13 individuals were sentenced, including 10 officials from Iraq’s tax authority, such as its former director and deputy, as revealed by MP Mostafa Sanad.

The scandal involved the embezzlement of $2.5 billion between September 2021 and August 2022, siphoned through 247 fraudulent cheques cashed by five companies. The stolen funds were then withdrawn in cash from those firms' accounts.

Zuhair received a 10-year sentence. Arrested in October 2022 at Baghdad airport, he was released on bail after returning $125 million and agreeing to repay the remainder in installments. He recently made headlines following a reported car crash in Lebanon after an interview with Iraqi media.

Juburi, who returned $2.6 million before disappearing, received a three-year sentence, while Jouhi was sentenced to six years. Both remain outside Iraq.

Iraq has long struggled with systemic corruption, which continues to erode public trust. Despite occasional convictions, high-level officials often evade justice, while mid-level figures bear the brunt of accountability.