Ali Sherif al-Emadi, who served as Qatar’s Minister of Finance from June 2013 until his arrest in May 2021, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison by Qatar’s Criminal Court. The judgment, outlined in a document, cites money laundering of over $5.6 billion. Al-Emadi faced charges of embezzlement, abuse of power, and public sector crimes, resulting in an extensive fine of 61 billion Qatari riyals (approximately $16.7 billion), double the laundered amount plus additional fines. His charges encompassed bribery, abuse of position, power, and damage to public funds. Notably, the investigation focused on his role as Finance Minister, unrelated to his other business positions. This arrest is part of a rare crackdown in Qatar, potentially indicating a broader effort to enhance transparency and combat corruption. Doha News has sought comment from Qatar’s International Media Office on the case.
By FCCT Editorial Team