How Much Money Was Stolen By Saddam’S Family?

American Treasury officials announced that they had recovered $950 million in Iraqi assets, which they believe constitutes the bulk of the $1 billion looted by Saddam Hussein’s family. Coalition forces managed to find an estimated $650 million of the money taken from the central bank, with their cargo being nearly $1 billion dollars, a full quarter of the country’s currency reserves. The loot was taken by a team led by Qusay Hussein, the son of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Key figures in the family-run scam allegedly included Saddam’s half brother Barzan al-Takriti, Iraq’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, and Saddam’s son-in-law.

Saddam Hussein was one of the wealthiest people in the world, with a net worth estimated at $5 billion. Estimates of Saddam Hussein’s wealth range from $2 billion to $40 billion, but experts say it has been so effectively hidden — in countries from Latin America to Asia — that the real amount may be much higher. A stash of more than £16bn (€20bn, $26bn) in cash has been left unclaimed at a Moscow airport for six years amid claims that it may have belonged to Saddam Hussein.

US investigators believe that the $950 million in cash that American troops recently found stashed in boxes in several locations around Baghdad is most of the $132 million of money that Saddam Hussein withdrew from the Iraqi Central Bank. The US believes it has found at least $300 million Saddam Hussein hid in banks, yet doesn’t have enough evidence to get countries such as Syria and the family of Saddam Hussein looted $US900 million ($A1. 42 billion) from Iraq’s central bank before his downfall.

Did Saddam Hussein Have Two Wives?

Saddam Hussein, the former president of Iraq, had two wives during his lifetime. His first wife was his cousin, Sajida Talfah, whom he married in 1958. They had five children together: Uday, Qusay, Raghad, Rana, and Hala. Their marriage lasted until their divorce in 1986. After Sajida, Saddam married Samira Shahbandar in 1986, when she was 40 years old; however, she had no children with him. Samira was previously married to an Iraqi Airways executive.

Saddam's family life was tumultuous, and he was said to have remained in contact with his second wife and their only surviving son, Ali, born in 1980. Ali is believed to be Samira's son and is noted for being from a respected family.

Despite speculation about Saddam's marriages, it appears he officially recognized only these two wives. His political career, marked by his presidency from 1979 until his deposition in 2003, ended with his execution on December 30, 2006. Throughout his presidency, Sajida was the First Lady of Iraq, while Samira Shahbandar is often described as the "second wife" in Iraqi narratives regarding Saddam's relationships.

Did Saddam Hussein Hide $300 Million In Banks?

The United States believes it has identified at least $300 million that Saddam Hussein concealed in banks, but lacks sufficient evidence to compel countries like Syria and Switzerland to relinquish the funds, as reported by U. S. and European officials. Concurrently, the G7 nations and the European Union announced in May 2023 their focus on approximately $300 billion, alongside Belgium's anticipated 2023 tax revenue of €625 million. Additionally, a major theft occurred in Baghdad where nearly $300 million was stolen, marking one of the largest heists in Iraq's history.

Allegations indicate that Iraqi officials reported $300 million was secretly exported from Iraq's Central Bank to Lebanon. Meanwhile, trade between the U. S. and Iraq has substantially increased, now reaching $300 million annually. Notably, President Bush directed the Treasury Department to seize about $1. 7 billion of Iraqi government funds that remain frozen in U. S. bank accounts since Iraq's invasion. New discoveries also include $500 million worth of gold bars found by U.

S. troops, highlighting potential hidden wealth. While rumors of Saddam's vast secret fortune have circulated, estimates suggest he may have billions stashed away, raising concerns over the potential funding for terrorism. The Reserve Bank of Australia was also implicated in efforts to strike business agreements with Saddam.

Who Owns The Central Bank In Iraq?

The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), established on November 16, 1947, in Baghdad, serves as the country's monetary authority. It operates with 100% state ownership, overseen by Governor Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq. Following the end of British occupation, the CBI was tasked with managing Iraq's monetary policy and ensuring domestic price stability while fostering a competitive market-based financial system. The CBI holds the sole right to issue the national currency, the dinar, making it a crucial institution in the Arab financial landscape.

The CBI underwent a significant restructuring with the issuance of the Central Bank of Iraq Law on March 6, 2004, which aimed to stabilize the economy and promote sustainable financial practices. It also oversees the auction system for currency transfers and manages the dinar's valuation independently from external influences.

The banking sector in Iraq primarily comprises two state-owned banks, Rafidain and Rashid, which are currently being restructured to address past debts. The CBI headquarters, symbolizing solidity, stability, and sustainability, is strategically located along the Tigris River. In collaboration with international organizations, the CBI continues to tackle economic challenges posed by fluctuating currency values, notably the rising US dollar against the dinar.

How Much Money Did Saddam Give His Son?

Saddam Hussein personally instructed the manager of the Iraqi Central Bank to deliver nearly $1 billion in cash, specifically $920 million in US dollars and €90 million in Euros (around $120 million at that time), to his son Qusay just hours before the U. S. began bombing Baghdad in March 2003. This action was justified in the note as a means to safeguard their assets from American aggression. At the time of his death in December 2006, Saddam's net worth was estimated at $2 billion, although some estimates suggested it could be as high as $40 billion, with a significant portion of his wealth tied to Iraq's oil sales.

Reportedly, 5% of Iraq's $200 billion in oil revenue over the past decade was siphoned off by Saddam and his family. As the war commenced, three trucks loaded with cash departed from the Central Bank, representing a quarter of the nation's financial reserves. Qusay led the operation to secure this money. Following the invasion, U. S. authorities aimed to trace and recover the substantial sums taken from the bank. Afterward, Saddam's sons Uday and Qusay were killed during a confrontation with U.

S. forces, while a $30 million reward was issued for information leading to their whereabouts. Despite efforts to track Saddam's hidden fortune, it was effectively concealed across multiple international locations.

What Was Saddam'S Last Words?

Saddam Hussein was executed on December 30, 2006, by hanging, after being convicted of crimes against humanity related to the Dujail massacre. Witnesses noted that he appeared "broken and weak" but remained "unrepentant" in his final moments. Just before his execution, he proclaimed, "Allahu Akbar. The Muslim Ummah will be victorious and Palestine is Arab!" His last words were defiantly directed at perceived adversaries: "Down with the traitors, the Americans, the spies, and the Persians." Despite his death sentence, Saddam expressed no remorse and intended to face his fate with dignity, feeling that being shot would have been a more honorable end.

Saddam's execution occurred at Camp Justice, coinciding with Eid ul-Adha, a significant Muslim festival. As the noose tightened, he did not bow his head. His final moments were captured on video, revealing both the chaos of his execution and the reactions of onlookers, including members of the Mahdi militia. Saddam's last articulated sentiments included a recitation of the shahada, affirming his faith.

He concluded with a powerful farewell, calling to "long live Iraq" and reaffirming his defiance against his enemies. His execution marked a contentious end to a tumultuous era in Iraq, with lingering sentiments about his legacy and the conflict that followed his overthrow.

What Happened To Saddam Hussein'S Mother?

Saddam Hussein was born on April 28, 1937, in Al-ʿAwjah, Iraq, to Subha Tulfah al-Mussallat, who faced immense grief following the death of her husband, Saddam's father, months before his birth, and the death of her 12-year-old son from cancer. Subha's despair drove her to attempt suicide and to abort her pregnancy, but she was saved by a Jewish family. Initially unable to care for him, she ultimately placed Saddam in the care of his uncle Khairallah Talfah. Following the tragedies, she fled with her children and sisters to Jordan, though some sources suggest she might have been in Qatar.

Saddam had a difficult upbringing, with a stepfather, Ibrahim al-Hassan, who reportedly abused him. His family dynamics were complicated by a second marriage after Subha's first husband's death, leading to the birth of three half-brothers. The psychological impact of his early life experiences shaped Saddam into the controversial figure he would eventually become. Despite these challenges, he later rose to power, serving as the president of Iraq from 1979 until 2003, a period marked by brutal governance, including wars and human rights violations.

His family legacy continued through his two sons, Uday and Qusay, and three daughters from his first cousin wife, Sajida Talfah. Subha's death in 1982 led to her monumental commemoration as the "Mother of Militants" in Tikrit.

What Happened To Saddam'S Bodyguard?

Kamel Hana Gegeo (c. 1960s – 18 October 1988) was an Iraqi Assyrian who served as a bodyguard, valet, and food taster for President Saddam Hussein. He was murdered by Uday Hussein at a party attended by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Gegeo began his military career as a non-commissioned officer, advancing to Lieutenant General and eventually becoming part of Saddam's elite personal detail. A distant cousin of Saddam, Gegeo was regarded as a close confidant.

Abid Hamid Mahmud al-Tikriti, Saddam's presidential secretary and chief bodyguard, was executed for crimes against humanity related to the suppression of Iraqi Shia Muslims. Many of Saddam's protectors, known as Himaya, were implicated in insurgency activities, while others distanced themselves post-regime. Uday and Qusay Hussein were killed in 2003, following the collapse of Saddam's rule. Kamel Gegeo's murder reflected the brutal internal conflicts within Saddam's circle, ultimately leading to the downfall of the regime and the execution of key figures, including Mahmud in June 2012, amid a wave of anti-Ba'ath reprisals.

What Happened To Saddam'S Family?

Saddam Hussein was executed on December 30, 2006, following a tumultuous rule from 1979 to 2003 under the Ba'athist party. His regime ended with the 2003 invasion of Iraq, during which his sons, Uday and Qusay, and grandson Mustapha were killed in a shootout with U. S. forces. Saddam's three daughters—Raghad, Rana, and Hala—fled to Jordan, where they were granted asylum. The Tulfah family, originating from Al-Awja near Tikrit, were members of the Sunni minority and have been subject to varying fates after Saddam's downfall.

Raghad has shared memories of life during her father's rule in interviews, while the exact status of Saddam's other family members remains unclear, though it is believed that many perished alongside him. His daughter was sentenced in absentia to seven years in prison for promoting the deposed Ba'ath party. The family's experiences mirror those of other ousted political families in the region; for instance, the children of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi similarly faced isolation after their father's regime fell. The story of Saddam's legacy and the fate of his family continues to provoke discussion, notably concerning the whereabouts of his remains.

How Much Money Was Stashed Away By Saddam?

U. S. investigators have yet to uncover amounts close to prewar estimates of $40 billion allegedly hidden by Saddam Hussein. Pierre de Bousquet de Florian, head of France's intelligence agency, stated, "We don’t know where it is." While Coalition forces recovered approximately $650 million from Iraq's central bank shortly after the invasion, substantial amounts remain undiscovered. Reports indicate that Saddam ordered his son to withdraw nearly $1 billion from the Central Bank just hours before the bombing began.

The U. S. believes around $300 million has been located in banks but lacks sufficient evidence to pursue recovery from nations like Syria and Switzerland. A significant find included $656 million hidden in one of Saddam's palaces, yet officials could not confirm whether it was part of the billion looted from the Central Bank. The American Treasury announced the recovery of $950 million considered to be a portion of the $1 billion reportedly taken by Saddam.

Estimates of his wealth vary, with speculation that he siphoned off between $6 billion to $30 billion through corruption and exploitation of oil revenues, while part of his assets is believed to be secured in various international banks and under various aliases. Despite the efforts, millions remain elusive, as indicated by a U. S. official's remarks about the stashed funds abroad.

Did Saddam Hussein Marry His Cousin?

Saddam Hussein, the former dictator of Iraq, had multiple wives, with his first being his first cousin, Sajida Talfah, married in 1963. This union was an arranged marriage established when they were children, reflecting a common practice in certain cultures. Saddam, who ruled Iraq from 1979 until 2003, had five children with Sajida, including his sons Uday and Qusay. Sajida was the daughter of Khairallah Talfah, Saddam's uncle and mentor, which further complicated their familial ties.

In 1986, Saddam took a second wife, Samira Shahbandar, while still married to Sajida, inciting anger from both Sajida and their son, Uday. Despite being raised together and having married at 21, Saddam commanded many of his children to marry their cousins, reinforcing familial connections. An examination of marriage trends in Baghdad in the late 1980s revealed a substantial percentage of individuals married to cousins. The marriage between Saddam and Sajida was arranged by Khairallah Talfah, who sought to solidify family ties and alliances.

Despite the tumultuous nature of their marriage, including long periods of separation, Sajida remained a significant yet private figure throughout Saddam's authoritarian rule. Ultimately, their familial arrangement and Saddam's politics intertwined, influencing his governance and personal life decisions, with their marriage serving as a reflection of prevailing cultural practices regarding cousin marriages in Iraq.

Who Owns Arab Bank?

ABAL is a subsidiary of Arab Bank plc, the first private sector financial institution in the Arab region, boasting over 80 years of expertise. Headquartered in Amman, Jordan, Arab Bank operates the largest Arab banking branch network globally, with more than 500 branches across 30 countries and five continents. Established in 1930 in Jerusalem by Abdel Hamid Shoman, the bank began with seven shareholders and a capital of 15, 000 Palestinian pounds.

It is publicly listed and recognized as one of the largest financial institutions in the Middle East. Arab Bank provides various banking services, including Sharia-compliant offerings through its subsidiary, the Islamic International Arab Bank plc. Recently, a consortium of Arab and Jordanian investors, led by Chairman Sabih al Masri, acquired a 20 percent stake in the bank group for $1. 12 billion. Arab Bank's mission encompasses corporate and institutional banking, treasury, and consumer banking services.

The bank extends its footprint further through ownership in regional institutions like the Oman Arab Bank SAOG. With key shareholders, including Jordan's Social Security Corporation and the Central Bank of Libya, Arab Bank continues to strengthen its position in the Middle East and beyond, leveraging a vast branch network and comprehensive financial services portfolio for its clientele.