Bahrain Prosecution Issues Rulings on Iranian Banks over Money-Laundering Charges

Public Prosecution via AAAWSAT AR.
Public Prosecution via AAAWSAT AR.
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Bahrain Prosecution Issues Rulings on Iranian Banks over Money-Laundering Charges

Public Prosecution via AAAWSAT AR.
Public Prosecution via AAAWSAT AR.

Bahrain’s High Criminal Court on Thursday sentenced three Iran-owned Future Bank officials to five years in jail and fined each with up to 1 million Bahraini dinars ($2.65 million) in two money-laundering cases, Bahrain News Agency reported.

The court also fined Future Bank and three other banks with up to BD14 million and ordered the confiscation of the illegal transfer amounts that reached BD500,000, chief prosecutor Mohammed Jamal Sultan said.

According to the case documents, the public prosecution has discovered an Iranian plot involving several entities, including some that are sanctioned internationally for funding terrorism, to carry out financial transactions while evading scrutiny.

Future Bank, operating under the supervision of Bank Melli Iran and Bank Saderat Iran, made thousands of international financial transactions while providing covers for Iranian entities by concealing and deliberately removing basic information when transferring funds via the SWIFT network, the chief prosecutor said.

The public prosecution is still investigating the remaining illegal activities that include how the Iranian banks carried out international transactions in violation of the law prohibiting and combating money laundering and terrorism financing, as well as the laws and banking regulations in force in the kingdom, he added.



Saudi Arabia Pursues Efforts to Quell Sudan Crisis

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Pursues Efforts to Quell Sudan Crisis

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji reaffirmed the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to resolve the Sudanese crisis. He expressed Saudi Arabia’s openness to international initiatives aimed at bringing peace to Sudan.
At the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan, held in Djibouti, Al-Khuraiji discussed the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to resolve the Sudanese crisis.
He mentioned that Saudi Arabia, in partnership with the United States, facilitated talks between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, leading to the Jeddah Declaration on May 11, 2023, which aimed to protect civilians.
Al-Khuraiji also noted the continuation of talks with the involvement of the African Union and IGAD, emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s support for African-led solutions.
He reiterated Saudi Arabia’s commitment to restoring stability in Sudan and urged all parties to act with wisdom, show restraint, and support positive initiatives.
Al-Khuraiji also met with EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, Annette Weber, on the sidelines of the consultative meeting.
In separate meetings, he also met with the UN Envoy for Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, and US Special Envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello.
During these meetings, they reviewed the latest developments in Sudan, explored ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, and discussed topics of mutual interest.
The Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum) expressed support for international and regional meetings, hoping they would bring positive results to ease the suffering of the Sudanese people.
They urged the need that discussions focus on ensuring humanitarian aid reaches those in need, protecting civilians, and achieving an immediate ceasefire.
Taqaddum highlighted the importance of international legal frameworks for civilian protection and safe passageways during the conflict.
They called on international and regional partners to quickly bring both sides back to negotiations, build on the Jeddah agreements, and secure a binding ceasefire with effective monitoring.
Taqaddum also stressed the need for a unified negotiation platform to achieve peace.