Qatari Finance Minister Ali Sharif al-Emadi has been arrested on charges of corruption, abuse of power and misuse of public funds.
According to the AFP news agency, although high-level arrests have been made in Qatar in connection with corruption before, official sources said that Emadi faced such allegations during the rule of Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hammad. Are the highest performers.
According to state media, the Attorney General has ordered the arrest of Finance Minister Ali Sharif Al-Emadi for questioning over reports of misuse of public money, abuse of power, and authority.
Qatar’s state news agency said an investigation had been launched but did not provide further details.
Emadi has been serving as Finance Minister since 2013. He is also the Chairman of the Executive Board of Qatar Airways and Chairman of the Board of Qatar National Bank.
A Qatari diplomat said the arrest was “unexpected”.
The diplomat added that governments are welcome to crackdown on corruption and abuse of power while abiding by the law.
Another Doha-based diplomat told AFP that this was true “very good,” indicating that Qatar was taking corruption seriously if the investigation revealed the same thing and that the rule of law would be upheld. This will help Qatar improve its image.
Gas-rich Qatar is one of the smallest Arab states with a population of 2.8 million, most of whom are foreigners.
