President Ruto ranked second most corrupt globally, Assad named “most corrupt person of the year:
The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) has named ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as the “Corrupt Person of the Year 2024,” while Kenyan President William Ruto received the second-highest number of votes in the same category.
The OCCRP, an investigative journalism organization, stated that Assad received the top dishonor due to the “far-reaching and devastating impact” his actions have had on Syria.
The report cited his transformation of the country into a narco-state, financing his regime through organized crime, including the production and trafficking of the addictive drug Captagon. It also noted Assad’s regime had spread violence, drugs, and corruption throughout the region, leaving a legacy of destruction.
While Ruto did not receive the top designation, the OCCRP noted that his high ranking reflected “extraordinary public outpouring” and “global demands for justice and accountability.” Over 40,000 participants nominated Ruto for the designation, citing accusations of government greed and corruption, high youth unemployment, and contentious economic policies.
The OCCRP also noted that Ruto’s government has faced accusations of implementing policies that have fueled economic instability, leading to protests, violence, arrests, and disappearances, which have further fueled public outrage.
“The political, economic, and social damage caused by Assad, both in Syria and in the region, will take decades to overcome,” stated Alia Ibrahim, one of the judges for the award.
In addition to the main “Corrupt Person of the Year,” the OCCRP also introduced a new category called the “Lifetime Non-Achievement Award,” which was given to President Teodoro Obiang of Equatorial Guinea. The report noted that Obiang has been in power since 1979 and has used fear, forced disappearances, and torture to silence dissent. Despite his country’s wealth from oil and gas, much of it has been “plundered by Obiang and other ruling elites who live lavish lifestyles while the rest of the population suffers in poverty,” according to the OCCRP.
