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Iraq Launches Major Training Initiative to Tackle White-Collar Crimes and Financial Fraud
Baghdad, July 6, 2021
In a bid to strengthen Iraq’s ability to investigate and prosecute complex financial crimes, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Iraq has launched a multi-year training initiative with the support of the United States Government and the Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq.
Program Overview
The training program, dubbed “Organized and Financial Crime Investigations: An Integrated Approach,” aims to equip Iraqi judges and other professionals with the skills, expertise, techniques, and procedures necessary to tackle complex financial crime cases. The program also seeks to make recommendations on improving policies and procedures for investigating and prosecuting these crimes.
Key Objectives
- Equip Iraqi judges and other professionals with the necessary skills and expertise to investigate and prosecute white-collar crimes
- Improve policies and procedures for investigating and prosecuting complex financial crime cases
- Develop a handbook on leading and conducting complex financial crime investigations
Challenges Ahead
According to UNDP officials, white-collar crimes such as corruption, money laundering, and illicit accumulation of wealth are major impediments to Iraq’s economic recovery, stability, and development. These crimes often involve personal enrichment at the expense of the Iraqi state and people.
International Support
The program has received funding from the United States Government and support from the Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq. The U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Matthew Tueller, emphasized the importance of the program, saying:
“Iraq requires efficient tools and policies to help investigate and prosecute financial crimes, as the motivation behind the majority of these criminal offenses is personal enrichment that hurts the Iraqi state and people.”
Next Steps
The project will provide training and workshops for various government institutions on organized and financial crimes. UNDP Resident Representative Zena Ali-Ahmad expressed gratitude to the U.S. Department of State for funding the initiative, saying:
“We stand ready to work alongside the Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq and other institutions to help put an end to white-collar crimes and bring about justice and accountability in Iraq.”
Funding
The project is part of UNDP Iraq’s Security Sector Reform/Rule of Law Programme and has been generously funded by the United States Government.