FBI and Somali agencies arrest suspect in corruption case in Mogadishu

Mogadishu, Somalia – A leader alleged to have been at the forefront of one of the largest corruption schemes during the pandemic has been arrested in Mogadishu after being on the run for more than four years, federal officials said.

The suspect, Abdikerm Eidleh, 42, was captured on Thursday in an operation jointly carried out by the FBI and Somali intelligence agencies. He has been charged with crimes related to corruption cases estimated to involve up to $250 million, linked to fraudulent food aid programs.

U.S. prosecutors stated that Eidleh was a "key player" in a network accused of systematically embezzling taxpayer funds from the United States.

According to investigators, Eidleh is also accused of collecting nearly $5 million in bribes and illegal funds after he ordered businesses to inflate receipts to obtain money from federal programs funded by the U.S., particularly those related to food and social services.

This case is part of a broader investigation known as "Feeding Our Future," which involves 79 individuals, mostly Somali, of whom 66 have previously pleaded guilty or been convicted of corruption-related crimes.

Minnesota Attorney General Daniel Rosen stated that Eidleh was a "big fish" who played a significant role in the scheme, being the deputy of the former leader of the case, Aimee Bock, who was previously sentenced to over 40 years in prison.

FBI officials also noted that this case demonstrates the power of international cooperation in pursuing financial crimes, emphasizing that Somalia is not beyond the reach of the law.

So far, prosecutors have indicated that the total estimated loss from this scheme could exceed $1 billion, with investigations still ongoing.