Ex-minister jailed for two years, fined KD 500,000 for corruption
The Criminal Court of Cassation, chaired by Counselor Abdullah Jassim, sentenced former minister Mubarak Al-Harees to two years in prison with hard labor for illicit gains and submitting an incomplete asset declaration.
The court also ordered his dismissal from office, barred him from holding any public position, and fined him KD 500,000, reported Arabic dailies Al Jarida and Al Qabas.
Al-Harees, in his capacity as Minister of Services Affairs and Minister of National Assembly Affairs, was accused of requesting a personal gift in exchange for using his influence with public authorities, including the Kuwait Municipality and the Public Authority for Industry.
His actions led to a decision to change the designation of land in the Jahra and Sulaibiya Industrial Expansion Area from industrial and craft to commercial and service use. He secured this change for two specific plots, bypassing the Municipal Council’s approval, in exchange for KD 50,000 from a company.
The two plots were later sold for KD 780,000, resulting in a substantial financial benefit for both Al-Harees and the company due to the increased price per square meter after the change in activity. As a result, he was convicted of illicit gain and forgery.
