UAE to Try Criminal Gang for Terrorizing Victims, Collecting Illegal Payments

A general view shows Abu Dhabi's skyline in the Emirati capital, Jan. 24, 2022. (AFP)
A general view shows Abu Dhabi's skyline in the Emirati capital, Jan. 24, 2022. (AFP)
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UAE to Try Criminal Gang for Terrorizing Victims, Collecting Illegal Payments

A general view shows Abu Dhabi's skyline in the Emirati capital, Jan. 24, 2022. (AFP)
A general view shows Abu Dhabi's skyline in the Emirati capital, Jan. 24, 2022. (AFP)

United Arab Emirates Attorney-General Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi ordered on Friday the referral of an organized criminal gang to trial before the Abu Dhabi Court of Appeal - State Security Department - for crimes threatening the state's security, public order, and societal peace.

A thorough seven-month investigation by the Public Prosecution revealed the involvement of over a hundred defendants in forming, managing, and joining a criminal organization known as the "Bahloul" gang, reported the UAE state news agency (WAM).

The group is accused of engaging in illegal activities, accumulating illicit funds, and distributing the proceeds among themselves by exerting power and influence in the areas where they operate.

They allegedly promote their criminal activities through social media platforms and use prohibited tools and weapons to instill fear in their victims, intending to extort money from them as a form of tribute.

Additionally, the gang is accused of laundering money to conceal the illicit origins of their criminal proceeds.

The UAE Attorney-General emphasized that the Public Prosecution will enforce the law decisively against anyone who commits criminal acts or harms and terrorizes people throughout the country.

Law enforcement authorities perform their duties with utmost vigilance and in accordance with legal procedures to maintain the state's security and ensure the safety of its residents, he stressed.

He urged all citizens and residents who consider the UAE their home to report any crimes as soon as they become aware of them, in order to prevent their dire consequences.



Saudi Arabia Consolidates Fight against Corruption with New Measures

Saudi Arabia Consolidates Fight against Corruption with New Measures
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Saudi Arabia Consolidates Fight against Corruption with New Measures

Saudi Arabia Consolidates Fight against Corruption with New Measures

Saudi Arabia’s Umm al-Qura newspaper revealed on Friday the details of the regulations approved by cabinet on July 23 related to the Control and Anti-Corruption Authority’s jurisdiction in investigating illegal enrichment.

The new regulations will go into effect 90 days after their official publication.

The regulations define corruption crimes as bribery, abuse of authority and public funds and any related crimes.

The Authority enjoys financial and administrative independence. It works objectively away from the influence of any party.

It is charged with monitoring public agencies, protecting integrity, bolstering transparency and combating corruption.

The Authority is tasked with uncovering administrative violations and crimes of corruption. It receives complaints related to these crimes and investigates their validity. It can also launch investigations and file lawsuits before relevant courts.

It also follows up on the return of illegally acquired funds and the revenues generated from them.

The Authority has the power to review work methods and procedures to protect integrity and bolster transparency. It can specify points of weakness that could lead to violations and crimes of corruption and propose means to develop and modernize procedures and mechanisms to fortify against the crimes.

The Authority has the power to demand records, documents, information and data from concerned parties to probe corruption claims.