Iraqi businessman Hasan Kerdi detained after extradition from Greece

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi businessman Hasan Kerdi, known for extensive political and economic ties, has been detained after being taken into custody in Greece by Interpol and transferred to Jordan, according to political sources. His case file is expected to be brought to Iraq, where legal proceedings will be opened as part of an ongoing investigation. Sources said Kerdi had been referred to in some circles as the "shadow man" because of a relationship network stretching across several Iraqi cities, with his name frequently appearing in economic files related to the energy sector. He is reported to have maintained wide-ranging contacts with politicians, businesspeople and senior officials, and is alleged to have acted as an intermediary between company owners and political structures. The case has revived debate in Iraq over how large public tenders are awarded and the influence of unofficial figures in decision-making. Investigators are examining the role of financial intermediaries in political influence networks, according to the sources. No further details on the charges or the timeline for the Iraqi legal process were immediately available.