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Kuwaiti Court Sentences Former Minister, Officials to 7 Years in Prison for Corruption

The Kuwaiti Court of Cassation sentenced former minister Mubarak Al-Aro and others to seven years in prison (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Kuwaiti Court of Cassation sentenced former minister Mubarak Al-Aro and others to seven years in prison (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Kuwaiti Court Sentences Former Minister, Officials to 7 Years in Prison for Corruption

The Kuwaiti Court of Cassation sentenced former minister Mubarak Al-Aro and others to seven years in prison (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Kuwaiti Court of Cassation sentenced former minister Mubarak Al-Aro and others to seven years in prison (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Kuwait’s Cassation Court has sentenced former Minister Mubarak Al-Aro, former Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs Abdulaziz Shuaib, the former head of the Federation of Associations, and a Gulf merchant to seven years in prison.
This ruling comes as part of a case involving the misuse of a tender for artificial intelligence in cooperative societies’ goods.
In November last year, the Court of Ministers found Al-Aro, Shuaib, former director of the Federation of Associations Abdulaziz Asad, and a company owner guilty.
Each was sentenced to seven years in prison with hard labor, along with dismissal from their positions, for benefiting from a contract signed with the company.
On May 2, Kuwait’s Court of Cassation rejected Al-Aro’s appeal and his request for release. The court ordered his arrest, along with former MP Mubarak Zaid Al-Aro Al-Mutairi, upon his return to Kuwait.
Earlier, on April 28, the Kuwaiti Court of Appeals overturned a two-year prison sentence against Al-Aro and his brother for vote-buying in the 2022 parliamentary elections. The lower court had initially sentenced Al-Aro to two years in prison and two of his campaign workers to one year.
Two other defendants were fined 2,000 dinars each.
In a separate case, the Criminal Court ordered the arrest and detention of former MP Hamad Al-Alayan on state security charges for criticizing the Emir’s authority. Al-Alayan appeared in court and denied the charges.
The court also sentenced former MP Abdullah Fahad to six months in prison for insulting the judiciary during a televised interview and fined the interview organizer 500 dinars (around $1,600).
Moreover, Kuwait’s Court of Cassation has postponed the verdict in the country’s largest money-laundering case, known as the “Malaysian Fund,” to June 27.
Public Prosecution reopened the “Malaysian Fund” case after a two-year pause due to delays in receiving information from international sources.
On March 28, 2023, the Criminal Court sentenced a member of the ruling family and his partners, including two expatriates, to 10 years in prison.
A lawyer involved in the case received a seven-year sentence. The court also ordered them to return $1 billion and fined them a total of 145 million Kuwaiti dinars (approximately $500 million).

 

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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi reaffirmed Iran and Saudi Arabia’s mutual determination to establish lasting peace and stability in the region.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat during his visit to Riyadh, Ravanchi emphasized that achieving this goal requires sustained bilateral and regional cooperation to address current threats and build a foundation for prosperity and security.
During his meetings with the Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed ElKhereiji, Ravanchi discussed strengthening bilateral relations in political, economic, and consular fields, and explored key regional and international issues.
He described Saudi-Iranian efforts as a “successful model of bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” aimed at fostering peace, security, and development on both regional and international levels. Ravanchi underscored the importance of historical ties and the principle of good neighborliness as the basis for advancing this relationship.
Following the second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian trilateral committee in Riyadh, both Saudi Arabia and Iran reiterated their full commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement, according to a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry. The accord, mediated by China, aims to restore diplomatic ties and promote mutual respect for sovereignty and security in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and international law.
China praised the progress achieved since the agreement’s signing, including the reopening of embassies and increased bilateral engagement. It pledged to continue supporting Saudi-Iranian efforts to deepen their cooperation and maintain regional stability.
Ravanchi, who previously served as Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations and was a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team with the P5+1, described the atmosphere of the meetings as “cordial and transparent.” He added that the three nations exchanged views on topics of mutual interest and stressed the importance of continuing this “positive and forward-looking process.” He also revealed “constructive and friendly” meetings held by the Iranian delegation with their Saudi hosts and Chinese counterparts, during which they discussed enhancing bilateral and trilateral cooperation and reviewed developments in relations over the past year.
One significant development has been the improvement in consular services. Over 87,000 Iranian pilgrims performed Hajj, and more than 52,000 completed Umrah in the past year, demonstrating enhanced coordination. Additionally, the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian Joint Media Committee and the signing of an MoU between Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies further strengthened institutional ties.
The trilateral meeting also tackled pressing regional challenges, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The participants condemned Israel’s aggression in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the continuation of humanitarian aid to affected regions. They warned that ongoing violence poses significant risks to regional and global security, including threats to maritime safety.
On Yemen, the parties reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution under United Nations auspices. They emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace in the war-torn country.
Saudi-Iranian relations have undergone a remarkable transformation since the signing of the Beijing Agreement. The reopening of embassies, including Iran’s embassy in Riyadh in June after a seven-year hiatus, marked a turning point in their ties.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Alireza Bigdeli described the day as a “historic milestone” in Saudi-Iranian relations. He expressed confidence that the renewed relationship would reach its peak, emphasizing that the restoration of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia opens a new chapter in bilateral and regional relations, aimed at greater cooperation and stability.