Doha:
Qatar’s finance minister Ali Shareef al-Emadi has been arrested more than alleged abuse of energy and misuse of public funds, state media stated on Thursday.
The official Qatar News Agency later reported that the country’s ruler, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, had issued a decree “relieving” Emadi of his post.
Sheikh Tamim also asked Trade and Industry Minister Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari to “carry out the duties of minister of finance”, it added on its Twitter web page.
While there have been earlier higher-level arrests in corruption circumstances in Qatar, official sources stated Emadi is the highest-profile figure to face such allegations below Sheikh Tamim.
“The attorney general ordered the arrest of Minister of Finance Ali Shareef al-Emadi, (to) question him on what was mentioned in reports regarding crimes related to civil service that involved damage to public money, abuse of function and abuse of power,” state media stated.
The Qatar News Agency stated that an investigation had been launched, but did not give any additional information.
Emadi has served as finance minister considering the fact that 2013. He is also the president of the executive board of the national carrier Qatar Airways and chairman of the board of Qatar National Bank, the region’s most significant lender.
He is also on the board of Qatar Investment Authority, the country’s sovereign wealth fund.
While he is not portion of the royal ruling class, he comes from an affluent and influential family members with huge investments in the nation, such as trade and genuine estate.
Hussein Ibish, a Washington-based Gulf professional, tweeted on Thursday that it was “pretty remarkable” that Emadi was arrested “on suspicion of corruption and embezzlement”.
Qatar-based diplomats told AFP that the arrest had come as a surprise.
“This is actually great, it shows Qatar is taking corruption seriously — if that is what it is found to be — and helps build the image of the rule of law being complied with,”‘ a diplomat in Doha told AFP.
Troubled instances
Emadi stewarded the economy by way of a 3-year financial blockade imposed on Qatar by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt more than allegations it was also close to Iran and funded extremists.
Doha has usually denied the accusations.
He won accolades for not permitting the currency to devalue in the face of intense external stress, liquidating just about a quarter of Qatar’s financial reserves to climate the storm.
Emadi also presided more than huge spending for the 2022 World Cup, which Qatar is to host.
Gas-wealthy Qatar is one of the smallest Arab states, with a population of 2.8 million, most of whom are foreigners.
In June 1995, former emir Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al-Thani was dethroned in a bloodless coup by his son, the father of the existing emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani.
Sheikh Hamad inherited practically empty state coffers, amid swirling allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement by his predecessor.
The existing emir presides more than an annual anti-corruption award for these who have worked to combat graft globally.
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