Baghdad: The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) has revealed its procedures regarding the high-profile cases of Nour Zuhair and Adnan Al-Jumaili, emphasizing its commitment to combating financial and administrative corruption.

According to Iraqi News Agency, the SJC outlined its dual objectives in a statement: holding accountable those involved in financial and administrative corruption and recovering state funds. This strategy includes potentially mitigating legal procedures or penalties for those accused, as long as actions remain within constitutional and legal limits.

The council's approach was highlighted through the case involving tax deposits, where foreign companies operating in Iraq were supposed to deposit 5% of a project's value with the General Authority for Taxes. These companies, including those owned by the convicted Nour Zuhair Al-Qant and Al-Mubdi'oun, used irregular methods to withdraw these deposits, leading to legal actions against all involved, including company owners and complicit employees.

An agreement allowed the release of the main defendant, Nour Zuhair, on bail, contingent upon the repayment of withdrawn funds. Though 365 billion dinars were repaid, the process halted when Zuhair left Iraq, resulting in a default judgment of ten years' imprisonment. Efforts to extradite Zuhair are ongoing, with the amended amnesty law potentially affecting his case, pending agreement with the Ministry of Finance on repayment.

In addition to Zuhair's case, in absentia prison sentences were issued against 12 employees of the General Authority for Taxes and others who facilitated the irregular withdrawals, with extradition processes initiated for some.

The case of the North Refineries Company and Adnan Al-Jumaili follows similar procedures. If their offenses occurred before the amended Amnesty Law, they will need to repay outstanding funds. Crimes committed after the law's enactment will face different legal processes, with ongoing discussions to develop a roadmap for fund recovery.