Warrant expected for former Iraq defence minister - $Billions missing

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/BAK953981.htm

BAGHDAD, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Iraq is expected to issue an arrest warrant for its former defence minister in the coming days in connection with the disappearance of more than $1 billion, a senior corruption investigator said on Monday.

Radhi al-Radhi, the head of Iraq's Commission on Public Integrity, said he had handed a file of evidence against Hazim Shaalan, who served in Interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's government, to Iraq's central criminal court two months ago and expected a warrant for his arrest to be issued soon.

Shaalan, who is living in Jordan and also spends time in London, has denied any wrongdoing and has said that whatever he did was ultimately approved of by American authorities. snip

"Our estimates begin at $1.3 billion and go up to $2.3 billion," he said in an interview in his fortified Baghdad office. "I expect the court will issue the warrants in the next week to 10 days, for Shaalan and for other senior officials."

[rodeodance]

1. well, is this missing $1Billion?

[NNN0LHI]

2. Yes but it appears it may go up to $2.3 billion now n/t

[bullimiami]

3. well if its 1 or 2.3 they still have 6-8 billion more to track down.