19 arrested in major cooperative societies corruption scandal

The Criminal Security Sector, through the General Department of Criminal Investigations and the Criminal Investigation and Licensing Department, has uncovered a major corruption network involving members of the Union of Cooperative Societies and the boards of directors of several cooperative societies.

According to security sources, the suspects received bribes from commercial companies in exchange for illegally promoting their products and granting them preferential treatment in cooperative outlets, in clear violation of established rules and regulations, reports Al-rai daily.

Following a prompt investigation, authorities collected solid evidence confirming the involvement of multiple companies and intermediaries who provided illicit cash payments to the cooperative officials. Several brokers responsible for transporting and delivering these funds were arrested and later confessed to the charges during interrogations, as did other parties involved.

In total, 19 individuals have been arrested in two separate cases — 4 members of the Union of Cooperative Societies, 1 member of a cooperative society’s board, 3 intermediaries between the companies and the cooperative officials, 2 employees of the Cooperative Societies Union and 9 employees from the commercial companies involved.

All necessary legal procedures have been taken, and the suspects have been referred to the competent judicial authorities.