Court cracks down on draw manipulation network, jails ministry employee
A senior official and 18 others receive 10-year sentences as judges rule that abuse of public office in commercial prize draws damaged public trust, financial credibility, and the integrity of official transactions.
- Out of 73 accused, the court sentenced 19 individuals — including the main accused, a Ministry of Commerce and Industry employee — to 10 years in prison and imposed fines totaling 3 million Kuwaiti dinars.
- Twenty-eight accused received four-year prison sentences with hard labor, while 36 accused were acquitted, with some exempted from punishment.
The Criminal Court has delivered its ruling in a high-profile case involving the alleged manipulation of commercial prize draws conducted under the supervision of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry between 2021 and 2025.
Out of 73 accused, the court sentenced 19 individuals — including the main accused, a Ministry of Commerce and Industry employee — to 10 years in prison and imposed fines totaling 3 million Kuwaiti dinars.
Twenty-eight accused received four-year prison sentences with hard labor, while 36 accused were acquitted, with some exempted from punishment, reports Al-Anba daily.
In its judgment, the court highlighted the gravity of the crimes, stating that the primary accused, who headed the ministry’s free offers department, abused his public position through deception and manipulation to secure unlawful personal benefits. The court described the conduct as unethical and a violation of justice and equal opportunity.
The ruling stressed that such fraud damages the credibility of commercial draws, erodes trust in regulatory authorities, and creates feelings of frustration and injustice among participants.
It also harms individuals’ rights, weakens confidence in official transactions, and undermines the reliability of commercial documentation — ultimately affecting the country’s financial reputation internationally.
The court emphasized that public office is a trust, not a means to serve private interests. Betraying that trust, it said, sends a dangerous message that rights can be gained through deception rather than merit, constituting a serious offense that requires strict legal accountability to deter wrongdoing and safeguard public order.
The Public Prosecution had announced in October 2025 that it completed investigations and referred the defendants to court on charges including bribery, forgery of official and electronic documents, and money laundering.
According to prosecutors, the defendants operated an organized network that manipulated 110 commercial draws worth more than 1.2 million dinars. Authorities also seized funds and assets exceeding one million dinars in efforts to recover illicit proceeds.
Earlier, the prosecution urged the court to impose maximum penalties, arguing that the defendants formed a coordinated criminal organization that exploited public office, falsified results, obstructed justice, and manipulated systems for personal enrichment.
