Bahrain Sentences to Prison Suspects in Money Laundering Cases Related to Iran

A view of Bahrain’s financial district in the capital city of Manama. (Reuters)
A view of Bahrain’s financial district in the capital city of Manama. (Reuters)
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Bahrain Sentences to Prison Suspects in Money Laundering Cases Related to Iran

A view of Bahrain’s financial district in the capital city of Manama. (Reuters)
A view of Bahrain’s financial district in the capital city of Manama. (Reuters)

Bahrain sentenced to prison three suspects in the Future Bank case, and fined them more than 9 million dollars.

The case came to light after the general prosecution revealed in February that some seven billion dollars have disappeared from Future Bank’s records and were used to finance Iranian groups, in violation of sanctions imposed against the country.

A court sentenced the Future Bank officials to five years in jail, fining them each 100,000 dinars. It also fined the implicated banks the same amount and ordered the confiscation of the remitted money.

The Public Prosecution had previously revealed that its investigations have uncovered a plan that permitted Iranian entities, including those implicated in funding terrorism or which are under international sanctions, to carry out international transactions while avoiding organizational auditing.

Future Bank, which is operating under the supervision of Bank Melli Iran and the Export Development Bank of Iran, has carried out thousands of international financial transactions while providing covers for the Iranian entities there through deliberate concealment or removal of basic information while remitting money via the SWIFT network.

The Public Prosecution referred the Future Bank officials and the other implicated banks to the High Criminal Court according to the anti-money laundering and combating funding terrorism law.



Saudi Arabia, India Discuss Bolstering Bilateral Relations

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, India Discuss Bolstering Bilateral Relations

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received in Jeddah on Tuesday Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for talks on regional developments and efforts exerted towards achieving security and stability.

The two leaders also discussed bilateral relations between their countries and means to develop them in various fields. They exchanged views on issues of common interest.

They later chaired the second meeting of the Saudi-Indian Strategic Partnership Council.

Modi had arrived in the Kingdom on an official visit earlier on Tuesday at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed. This is his second visit to Saudi Arabia in nine years following trips in 2016 and 2019.

“India values our historic relations with Saudi Arabia. Bilateral ties have gained significant momentum in the last decade,” Modi said in a statement ahead of departing for the Kingdom.

“Together, we have developed a mutually beneficial and substantive partnership including in the domains of defense, trade, investment, energy and people to people ties. We have shared interest and commitment to promote regional peace, prosperity, security and stability,” he added.

“I look forward to participating in the 2nd Meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council and build upon the highly successful State visit of my brother Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to India in 2023,” he continued.

“I am also eager to connect with the vibrant Indian community in Saudi Arabia that continues to serve as the living bridge between our nations and making immense contribution to strengthening the cultural and human ties,” he stressed.

“This visit will strengthen the friendship between India and Saudi Arabia,” Modi said in a post on the X platform upon arriving in the Kingdom.