Salem Chalabi, born on August 13, 1963, in Baghdad, Iraq, is an Iraqi-American lawyer and nephew of Ahmad Chalabi. Educated in Britain and the United States, he was appointed by Paul Bremer, head of the Coalition Provisional Authority, as the first General Director (also referred to as executive director) of the Iraqi Special Tribunal in 2003, established to prosecute Saddam Hussein and his regime for crimes against humanity. The appointment drew widespread criticism for nepotism due to his family ties and lack of significant trial experience, leading to his removal from the position. An arrest warrant was issued against him for alleged involvement in the murder of an Iraqi Ministry of Finance director-general investigating Chalabi family properties; the charges were later dismissed due to lack of evidence. Over two decades, Chalabi has held multiple senior positions in successive Iraqi governments, including most recently as head of the Trade Bank of Iraq until early 2023. He is currently a partner at Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP, a law firm. Known also as 'Sam Challabi,' he has been involved in Iraq's post-2003 political and financial landscape amid ongoing controversies surrounding his family's influence.