Iraq probes $2.5b ‘theft’ from tax agency

Iraqi authorities are investigating the "theft" of $2.5 billion from the tax authority, officials said yesterday, in the latest corruption case to hit the country.

State news agency INA reported Saturday that an internal probe by the finance ministry found the money had been withdrawn from the agency's account at a state-owned bank.

The ministry has asked the government's anti-corruption body to investigate, INA said, without naming the officials embroiled in the case.