Iraq has extradited from Lebanon a former health employee convicted of embezzling nearly $3 million, the country's Integrity Commission said.Alia Hassouni, a former worker at the Wasit Health Directorate, in eastern Iraq, was handed over by Lebanese authorities following co-ordination with Iraqi officials and Interpol to secure her arrest and return. “The recovery operation was the result of continued international pursuit efforts, follow-up and co-ordination with the concerned authorities,” the Integrity Commission said in a statement.Ms Hassouni was wanted in connection with two embezzlement cases involving a combined 3.78 billion Iraqi dinars (nearly $3 million) from the Wasit Health Directorate. The commission said she participated in the misappropriation of 2.86 billion dinars in one case and a further 924 million dinars in another.The Wasit Criminal Court had convicted Ms Hassouni in absentia and sentenced her to life imprisonment after reviewing evidence including witness testimony, an administrative investigation and reports, the commission said.“The court found the evidence sufficient and convincing to convict her of participating in the embezzlement of public funds,” the commission said.The ruling also ordered her to repay the stolen funds to the health authority and granted the injured party the right to seek compensation, according to the statement.Iraq has stepped...
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