Ex-minister, former undersecretaries get 7 years in jail, heavy fines in funds scandal

Nafisi arrest-detention order removed; Duwailah hearing adjourned

By Jaber Al-Hamoud

Al-Seyassah Staff

KUWAIT CITY, Jan 29: In what seems to be unprecedented in the history of Kuwaiti judicial system, the Ministerial Court chaired by Judge Bader Al-Sar’awi sentenced each of the former minister of health Dr Ali AlObaidi, two former undersecretaries in the same ministry Dr Khalid Al-Sahlawi and Mahmoud Al-Abdulhadi, and an official of the USowned Aetna International Company Michele Dilamir to 7 years imprisonment with hard labor and KD10,000 for suspension of execution.

The court also ordered the removal of Kuwaiti officials from government positions and deportation of the fourth defendant after serving the term. The defendants were also ordered to refund $81 million and fined them double the sum. They were charged for illegitimate proceeds and misappropriation of public funds in a contract of the Ministry of Health.

The court also exonerated AlObaidi and others, including a former assistant undersecretary and a former director in a second case wherein they were accused of making illicit gains in a medicine sale contract to the ministry.

Nafisi arrest cancelled:

The presiding judge at the Criminal Court Consultant Mohammad Al-Mutairi has removed the arrest-and-detention order placed on former MP Dr Abdullah Al-Nafisi in the case filed against him for allegedly insulting the United Arab Emirates. The same

Chief of Staff of Kuwait Army Lieutenant General Mohammad Al-Khuder received in his office the Head of Training and Education Affairs in Saudi Arabia’s National Guard Major General Naif Bin Majed Bin Saud

Bin Abdulaziz.

Chief of Staff of Kuwait Army Lieutenant General Mohammad AlKhuder received in his office the Head of Training and Education Affairs in Saudi Arabia’s National Guard Major General Naif Bin Majed Bin Saud Bin Abdulaziz and the accompanying delegation visiting Kuwait.

court adjourned to Feb 11 the judgment on a similar case of insulting the UAE filed against Nasser AlDuwailah.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs had lodged complaints against Al-Nafisi and Al-Duwaila, demanding judicial actions against the duo with stiff punishments for threatening the cordial diplomatic relations between the UAE and Kuwait. The ministry cited Article 4 of the Law

According to a press release, they discussed matters and topics of importance for two countries especially the military aspects and ways to enhance military cooperation.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief of Kuwait Army Staff Lieutenant General Khaled Al-Sabah received Major General Naif Bin Majed Bin Saud

No. 30/1970 concerning the state’s foreign security crimes.

The law stipulates that anybody found contravening the law shall be liable to a minimum of three years in prison.

Life term for protester:

The Criminal Court, presided over by Judge Mohammad Al-Sayegh, sentenced Muhammad Wali Al-Enezi one

Bin Abdulaziz and the accompanying delegation.

They exchanged friendly talks and then discussed ways to develop the military cooperation between the two countries. High-ranking officials were present at the meeting, and a lunch banquet was arranged on the occasion.

of 16 defendants in the Bedoun demonstrations case who is currently outside the country - to life imprisonment,says Al-Seyassah.

The court also sentenced two other defendants to 10 years in prison with hard labor and refrained from issuing a verdict against the rest of the defendants who were charged in relation to the mass protest in Taima, Jahra several years ago.