- Deposed Syrian leader Bashar al-Asad is the most corrupt person in the world, making it the top list of the Person of the Year in Ogranized Crime and Corruption by OCCRP.
- Kenya’s President, William Ruto, garnered an overwhelming historic vote of over 40,000 as the most corrupt figure in 2024.
- The Indian-based Conglomearate Adani Group’s chairperson and businessman, Gautam Adani, also made it to the list of most corrupt people.
- Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu, deposed Bangladesh Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, and former Indonesian President, Joko Widodo, also made it to the final list.
Who are the most corrupt people in the world? The Organized Crime and Corruption Repoting Project (OCCRP) just revealed the Corrupt Person of the Year 2024—led by the deposed and longterm Syrian authoritarian leader, Bashar al-Assad, currently exiled in Russia.
OCCRP reports that the “ousted Syrian president turned Syria into a narco-stae, financing his authoritarian regime through an array of organized crime, including the production and trafficking of Captagon, an addictive street drug.”
The long-decade of Assad’s family rule shockingly ended in 2024 after the Syrian opposition forces managed to capture Damascus and several other cities, leaving Assad with no option but to flee for his safety in Russia. His desperate call for reinforcement from Iran and Russia, however, crumbled faster than expected.
The proceeds from the Captagon production are said to have generated billions of dollars, used in financing the violation of human rights, including widespread arbitral arrests and detention of his regime’s critics, organized crimes, including human and massive drug trafficking, and arms trading.
His 24-year dictatorship rule has left a hurrowing experience, revealing the dehumanizing actions on the people, with an estimated tens of billions of dollars looted, leaving empty coffers, and a dilapidated economy for a comfortable life in Russia.
Kenya’s President, William Samoei Ruto, garnered the most votes for the Person of the Year in Organized Crime and Corruption; however, judges at the OCCRP’s 2024 chose Bshar al-Assad due to his havoc-wreaking impact on the people of Syria.
“While Ruto didn’t “win” Person of the Year, the extraordinary public outpouring highlights global demands for justice and accountability.”
“Ultimately, our judges chose Bashar al-Assad for the top dishonor due to his far-reaching and devastating impact,” OCCRP clarified on X.
Kenyan President William Ruto got Overwhelming Votes for the Person of the Year in Organized Crime and Corruption
President Ruto got an overwhelming vote, with more than 40, 000 people nominating for the person of the year in organized crime and corruption in 2024. OCCRP reports that his nomination was driven by a plethora of far-wrenching messages from voters, disgusted with how he ran the country in 2024.
Some of the complaints and messages that demanded such voting were related to the controversial Finance Bill 2024, which triggered the unprecedented demontrations across the country and the police brutality that has left many killed and maimed, while others are still missing due to police abductions.
The Ruto regime is also accused of orchestrating corruption, greed, and poor economic policies, leading to the collapse of several critical sectors, including health and education. This could as well be seen in the appointment of those facing corruption allegations in courts.
“However, since the award is given to the person who has done “the most wreak havoc around the world through organized crime and corruption,” they ultimately chose Assad as the winner. Creating chaos for Syrians, Syria’s neighbors, the broader region, and the many countries affected by his criminality pushed him into the top slot.”
Teodoro Obiang Nguema, World’s Longest-Serving Non-royal Leaders, got a Special Lifetime Non-Achievement Award
Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, one of the world’s longest-serving non-royal leaders, was a winner of a special Lifetime Non-Achievement Award by the OCCRP panel judges. Obiang is known for being the President of Equatorial Guinea since 1979, with decades of unending dictatorship in a small but relatively wealthy country.
He came to power via a military coup against his uncle, Francisco Macian Nguema, and has since maintained control through a one-party state to date. Having served for over 45 years, with some of his kin holding critical positions in government, Obiang’s rule has been marked by authoritarianism with allegations of severe human rights abuses, including the suppression of dissent through arbirtal arrest, forced disappearances, and torture.
“For the first time in the contest’s 13-year history, the judges have awarded a special “Lifetime Non-Achievement Ward.” The prize goes to Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, one of the longest-serving dictators in the world.’’
Located on the west coast of Cetral Africa, Equatorial Guinea sits in a wealth of oil and gas reserves, generating significant revenue annually. Despite the vastness of such wealth, Obiang, together with the ruling elite, is said to have squandered and racketeered the country’s resources, financing their flamboyant lifestyles, while the rest are raking in abject poverty.
Gautam Adani and Sheikh Hasina, among others, made to the list in 2024 for Organized Crime and Corruption
OCCRP’s global network also nominated other prominent figures for the person of the year in organized crime and corruption: Joko Widodo, the former president of Indonesia; Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the president of Nigeria; the civilian deposed Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina; and the businessman and chairperson of the Indian-based conglomerate, Adani Group, Guatam Adani. Adani has been indicted in the US, involving a multibillion-dollar green energy investment in graft.
