Qatar’s former finance minister Ali Sherif al-Emadi will face a criminal trial, said the state-run Qatar News Agency (QNA) in a short statement issued on Sunday (March 19), following his arrest two years ago over alleged embezzlement. Al-Emadi who served as the minister of finance in the wealthy Gulf Arab state from 2013 till his arrest in 2021 will face trial along with a number of others who have been charged with similar crimes.&nbsp;

The state-run news agency without mentioning the number of other people said Al-Emadi and others will face trial over charges of bribery, abuse of position and power, damage to public funds and money laundering, reported Reuters. However, it is also unclear whether all those accused will face the same charges or not.&nbsp;

“Since evidence extracted from the case documents proved that the accused committed the crimes ascribed to them, the Attorney General issued an order to refer the accused to the Criminal Court to punish them for the crimes ascribed to them, which included bribery, appropriation of public money, abuse of office, abuse of power, damage to public money and money laundering,” said the QNA report, as per Al Jazeera.&nbsp;

Notably, there are not a lot of details released about Al-Emadi’s arrest including how much money the former minister is accused of stealing. The 54-year-old who was arrested in May 2021 was stripped of his ministerial duties and&nbsp;removed from the Qatar Investment Agency which owns 50 per cent of the Qatar National Bank where he served as a board member.

Al-Emadi was also one of the most powerful officials in the country prior to his arrest, and was CEO of the bank, on the board of Qatar’s $300 billion sovereign wealth fund and president of the executive board of Qatar Airways. While Al-Emadi has been arrested, he has not been placed in detention, reported AFP.

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani have previously clarified that the investigation into the former finance minister was related to his ministerial duties and not his posts at the sovereign fund or the bank, reported Reuters. Notably, ahead of Al-Emadi’s arrest the Qatari PM had also revised the law ending immunity from prosecution for ministers.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
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Qatar’s former finance minister Ali Sherif al-Emadi will face a criminal trial, said the state-run Qatar News Agency (QNA) in a short statement issued on Sunday (March 19), following his arrest two years ago over alleged embezzlement.

Qatar’s former finance minister Ali Sherif al-Emadi will face a criminal trial, said the state-run Qatar News Agency (QNA) in a short statement issued on Sunday (March 19), following his arrest two years ago over alleged embezzlement. Al-Emadi who served as the minister of finance in the wealthy Gulf Arab state from 2013 till his arrest in 2021 will face trial along with a number of others who have been charged with similar crimes. The state-run news agency without mentioning the number of other people said Al-Emadi and others will face trial over charges of bribery, abuse of position and power, damage to public funds and money laundering, reported Reuters. However, it is also unclear whether all those accused will face the same charges or not. “Since evidence extracted from the case documents proved that the accused committed the crimes ascribed to them, the Attorney General issued an order to refer the accused to the Criminal Court to punish them for the crimes ascribed to them, which included bribery, appropriation of public money, abuse of office, abuse of power, damage to public money and money laundering,” said the QNA report, as per Al Jazeera. Notably, there are not a lot of details released about Al-Emadi’s arrest including how much money the former minister is accused of stealing. The 54-year-old who was arrested in May 2021 was stripped of his ministerial duties and removed from the Qatar Investment Agency which owns 50 per cent of the Qatar National Bank where he served as a board member. Al-Emadi was also one of the most powerful officials in the country prior to his arrest, and was CEO of the bank, on the board of Qatar’s $300 billion sovereign wealth fund and president of the executive board of Qatar Airways. While Al-Emadi has been arrested, he has not been placed in detention, reported AFP. Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani have previously clarified that the investigation into the former finance minister was related to his ministerial duties and not his posts at the sovereign fund or the bank, reported Reuters. Notably, ahead of Al-Emadi’s arrest the Qatari PM had also revised the law ending immunity from prosecution for ministers. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Qatar: Former finance minister Ali Sherif al-Emadi charged with bribery, embezzlement; to face trial

Months after Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, sources report that the country's former finance minister Khalid Payenda is no driving an Uber in Washington DC to meet his needs.

Afghanistan’s former finance minister Khalid Payenda is now an Uber driver in Washington DC

The Padma Awards to be given on the occasion of Republic Day have been announced. Former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj are also named among those who received the Padma Vibhushan. PV Sindhu and Manohar Parrikar will be awarded by Padma Bhushan.

Padma Awards 2020 announced; Padma Vibhushan to 7 veterans, Padma Bhushan to 16 & Padma Shri to 118

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday remembered former Union Minister Arun Jaitley on his birth anniversary and said that the Indian polity misses him dearly.

"Remembering Arun Jaitley ji with a heavy heart on his birth anniversary. He was an outstanding parliamentarian, one of our most valuable leaders, a great thinker, orator, who could marshal up cogent arguments steeped in facts and history, effortlessly. Indian polity misses him," tweeted Shah.

Jaitley passed away on August 24 this year at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi. He was 66.

Earlier today, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar unveiled Jaitley's statue in Patna on his birth anniversary.

Jaitley's family and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi had also attended the event.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also said that the Ministry of Finance will hold its first Arun Jaitley Memorial Lecture on March 20, 2020."An economist conclave shall be held the next day. Eminent economists shall be invited," she said.&nbsp;

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday remembered former Union Minister Arun Jaitley on his birth anniversary and said that the Indian polity misses him dearly.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday remembered former Union Minister Arun Jaitley on his birth anniversary and said that the Indian polity misses him dearly. "Remembering Arun Jaitley ji with a heavy heart on his birth anniversary. He was an outstanding parliamentarian, one of our most valuable leaders, a great thinker, orator, who could marshal up cogent arguments steeped in facts and history, effortlessly. Indian polity misses him," tweeted Shah. Jaitley passed away on August 24 this year at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi. He was 66. Earlier today, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar unveiled Jaitley's statue in Patna on his birth anniversary. Jaitley's family and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi had also attended the event. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also said that the Ministry of Finance will hold its first Arun Jaitley Memorial Lecture on March 20, 2020."An economist conclave shall be held the next day. Eminent economists shall be invited," she said.

Indian polity misses him: Amit Shah remembers Jaitley on his birth anniversary

Former Finance Minister and Veteran BJP leader Arun Jaitley passed away on Saturday at the age of 66. Jaitley's mortal remains to be taken to BJP HQ. His last rites to be performed roughly around 2 PM today at Delhi's Nigam Bodh Ghat.

Last rites to be performed today as Arun Jaitley aged 66 passes away on Saturday

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Sunday mourned the demise of former <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/arun-jaitley-cremated-at-delhis-nigambodh-ghat-last-rites-performed-by-son-rohan-245500">Union Minister Arun Jaitley</a> and recalled an interesting remark that the BJP leader made that 'India has the same place in International Cricket Council (ICC) as the United States has in United Nations Security Council (UNSC)'.

"I never forgot one of his best lines to me talking about cricket when I was still at UN - India has the same place in ICC as the US has in UNSC. As a minister, he was very impressive. I thought that asking questions to him in Parliament was always rewarding as he gave you serious answers, precisely expressed," he said while talking to ANI.

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend from Delhi University days, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/arun-jaitleys-final-journey-countless-tearful-goodbyes-for-the-bjp-stalwart-245497">Arun Jaitley</a>. We have known each other since we were students. He was the president of DUSU when I was the president of St Stephens College Student`s Union. We were not on the same page politically. In fact, my union was not political whereas DUSU at that time was under the control of ABVP of which Arun Jaitley was a leading light," he added.

Tharoor said they had mutual regard for each other.

"To my surprise, he supported my candidacy for the academic council as student representative even though we didn`t agree politically about certain issues. He said we need people of your kind of quality to represent the student body in the council," he said.

Stressing that Jaitley was somebody he kept in touch with after leaving for United Nations, he said, "When I came back to India, he was one of the people already in politics who became once again somebody I could maintain very friendly relations with. It was not a political friendship. It was a very pleasant relationship."

The Congress leader said he will remember Jaitley in many ways as a consummate Delhi insider, somebody who was completely at home in Lutyen's Delhi.

Fondly recalling crossing swords with him in Parliament, Tharoor said, "In debates, in the Budget session for example, I had the privilege of representing my party's views. I was very pleased that I was able to cross swords with him."

"He and I spoke quite often. I spoke to him on the phone just a little while before he passed away. He said don't come now - I am not feeling well now to receive a lot of visitors. He said I am fine," he added.

The Congress leader said he felt a terrible sense of loss at the veteran politician`s demise.

"It's a great sense of loss for India, for the spirit of mutual respect across political divides that is so important in a democracy. My profound condolences to his family. My thoughts are very much with his loved ones," Tharoor said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Sunday mourned the demise of former Union Minister Arun Jaitley and recalled an interesting remark that the BJP leader made that 'India has the same place in International Cricket Council (ICC) as the United States has in United Nations Security Council (UNSC)'.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Sunday mourned the demise of former Union Minister Arun Jaitley and recalled an interesting remark that the BJP leader made that 'India has the same place in International Cricket Council (ICC) as the United States has in United Nations Security Council (UNSC)'. "I never forgot one of his best lines to me talking about cricket when I was still at UN - India has the same place in ICC as the US has in UNSC. As a minister, he was very impressive. I thought that asking questions to him in Parliament was always rewarding as he gave you serious answers, precisely expressed," he said while talking to ANI. "I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend from Delhi University days, Arun Jaitley. We have known each other since we were students. He was the president of DUSU when I was the president of St Stephens College Student`s Union. We were not on the same page politically. In fact, my union was not political whereas DUSU at that time was under the control of ABVP of which Arun Jaitley was a leading light," he added. Tharoor said they had mutual regard for each other. "To my surprise, he supported my candidacy for the academic council as student representative even though we didn`t agree politically about certain issues. He said we need people of your kind of quality to represent the student body in the council," he said. Stressing that Jaitley was somebody he kept in touch with after leaving for United Nations, he said, "When I came back to India, he was one of the people already in politics who became once again somebody I could maintain very friendly relations with. It was not a political friendship. It was a very pleasant relationship." The Congress leader said he will remember Jaitley in many ways as a consummate Delhi insider, somebody who was completely at home in Lutyen's Delhi. Fondly recalling crossing swords with him in Parliament, Tharoor said, "In debates, in the Budget session for example, I had the privilege of representing my party's views. I was very pleased that I was able to cross swords with him." "He and I spoke quite often. I spoke to him on the phone just a little while before he passed away. He said don't come now - I am not feeling well now to receive a lot of visitors. He said I am fine," he added. The Congress leader said he felt a terrible sense of loss at the veteran politician`s demise. "It's a great sense of loss for India, for the spirit of mutual respect across political divides that is so important in a democracy. My profound condolences to his family. My thoughts are very much with his loved ones," Tharoor said.

India has same place in ICC as US has in UNSC: Tharoor recalls Jaitley's 'best' remark

As a stream of visitors paid last respects to the former finance minister and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/arun-jaitley-cremated-at-delhis-nigambodh-ghat-last-rites-performed-by-son-rohan-245500">BJP strongman Arun Jaitley</a>, it was a moment of contemplation for many, who fondly remembered their association with the stalwart.

As the who's who of the nation paid obeisance to the late leader they remembered how Jaitley touched their lives, changing them forever through his sensitive and personal approach.

Being a close associate of Jaitley for over four decades, Dr Harsh Vardhan was faced with a particular dilemma. Being the health minister he regularly visited Jaitley in the hospital.

"I met him three times while he was at AIIMS over the last two weeks and he was always smiling. Five years, he struggled with health issues but never once showed it on his face," he said.

Haryana BJP chief Subhash Barala fondly remembered Jaitley's commitment to work and recalled, "Even on his daughter's wedding day, while he kept meeting guests he was also clearing files side by side. How important work was for him, he set an example for us."

Senior journalist, Rajat Sharma, who has one of the oldest friendships with the departed leader shared another insight about Jaitley.

"I met him in the hospital recently. For the first time, I realised that he may not live longer. He said I have no regrets, my kids are settled. He told me what he will do - I will retire from public life if I get better. He wanted to chat with friends and watch movies," Sharma added.

The senior leader was always available for his colleagues.

"His personality was affable and approachable. We just had to ask him for help and he was always ready. I learnt a lot from him," former Union Minister of State, Rajyavardhan Rathore who served under Jaitley said while trying to control his tears.

While some were forthcoming with their memories of Jaitley, there were few who wished to keep the memories under wraps.

"I wish I could tell you the most impressionable moment with him but it is sort of personal," said a senior minister in the government when asked about his best memory of Jaitley.

The former finance minister passed away at the age of 66 at the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences, New Delhi on Saturday. He was admitted to AIIMS earlier this month after he complained of restlessness. He was placed under observation at the hospital`s Cardio-Neuro-Centre.&nbsp;

As a stream of visitors paid last respects to the former finance minister and BJP strongman Arun Jaitley, it was a moment of contemplation for many, who fondly remembered their association with the stalwart.

As a stream of visitors paid last respects to the former finance minister and BJP strongman Arun Jaitley, it was a moment of contemplation for many, who fondly remembered their association with the stalwart. As the who's who of the nation paid obeisance to the late leader they remembered how Jaitley touched their lives, changing them forever through his sensitive and personal approach. Being a close associate of Jaitley for over four decades, Dr Harsh Vardhan was faced with a particular dilemma. Being the health minister he regularly visited Jaitley in the hospital. "I met him three times while he was at AIIMS over the last two weeks and he was always smiling. Five years, he struggled with health issues but never once showed it on his face," he said. Haryana BJP chief Subhash Barala fondly remembered Jaitley's commitment to work and recalled, "Even on his daughter's wedding day, while he kept meeting guests he was also clearing files side by side. How important work was for him, he set an example for us." Senior journalist, Rajat Sharma, who has one of the oldest friendships with the departed leader shared another insight about Jaitley. "I met him in the hospital recently. For the first time, I realised that he may not live longer. He said I have no regrets, my kids are settled. He told me what he will do - I will retire from public life if I get better. He wanted to chat with friends and watch movies," Sharma added. The senior leader was always available for his colleagues. "His personality was affable and approachable. We just had to ask him for help and he was always ready. I learnt a lot from him," former Union Minister of State, Rajyavardhan Rathore who served under Jaitley said while trying to control his tears. While some were forthcoming with their memories of Jaitley, there were few who wished to keep the memories under wraps. "I wish I could tell you the most impressionable moment with him but it is sort of personal," said a senior minister in the government when asked about his best memory of Jaitley. The former finance minister passed away at the age of 66 at the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences, New Delhi on Saturday. He was admitted to AIIMS earlier this month after he complained of restlessness. He was placed under observation at the hospital`s Cardio-Neuro-Centre.

Cleared files on daughter's wedding, always smiled: Friends, colleagues remember Jaitley

Have a look at the final journey and respect to Late Arun Jaitley.

Final journey and respect to Late Arun Jaitley

Former finance minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stalwart Arun Jaitley died on Saturday after a long battle with illness. The 66-year-old veteran leader, who held several important portfolios in his political career spanning over four decades, breathed his last at 12.07 pm on Saturday the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in New Delhi.

An orator, protagonist, philathropist; this is what describes Arun Jaitley

Jaitley's body to be kept at BJP HQ on Sunday, last rites at Nigambodh Ghat. Watch video to know more.

Jaitley's body to be kept at BJP HQ on Sunday, last rites at Nigambodh Ghat

Arun Jaitley demise: Former LS Speaker Sumitra Mahajan exclusively talks to WION

Former LS speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Ex-CM of Maharashtra Prithviraj Chavan reacts to Jaitley's demise

Veteran BJP leader Arun Jaitley's political journey. Watch video to know more.

Veteran BJP leader Arun Jaitley's political journey

BJP's senior leader and India's former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley passes away at 66. He was rushed to AIIMS on 9 August after he was not feeling well. Today at 12.07 pm he took his last breathe.

India's former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley passes away at 66

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/seven-member-cbi-team-climbs-wall-to-arrest-chidambaram-at-his-residence-244683">Former finance minister P Chidambaram</a> reached the CBI court on Thursday afternoon. He arrived at the court from the CBI office. The court has begun hearing the matter of Chidambaram's bail plea.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/p-chidambarams-arrest-son-karti-speaks-to-wion-calls-arrest-witch-hunt-244684">Chidambaram was arrested in the INX media</a> case on Wednesday night after he failed to get relief from the Supreme Court over CBI and ED's pursuit of him as the matter was not heard by the court despite repeated efforts of his lawyers.

Chidambaram's arrest became an intense political drama as CBI officials had to climb the wall of his residence to get inside his home.&nbsp;

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The CBI chief was part of the team that finally took the former finance minister into custody.&nbsp;

Chidambaram&nbsp;appeared at the Congress party headquarters in New Delhi on Wednesday evening after being missing for over&nbsp;24 hours. Chidambaram addressed the media stating that he has "not been accused&nbsp;of any offence". "These are&nbsp;lies spread by pathological liars," he said.&nbsp;

Right after his nearly 6-minutes-long address, Chidambaram left for his residence without entertaining any questions. He was trailed by the CBI.&nbsp;

During his press briefing, Chidambaram said that he had been working throughout the night the day before yesterday "to prepare the papers"&nbsp;which his team submitted before the court on Wednesday.

"I was aghast that I was accused of hiding from the law while I was seeking protection from the law," he noted.

"I was told by my lawyers that despite their impassioned appeals, the hearing has been scheduled for Friday," Chidambaram said.&nbsp;

Former finance minister P&nbsp;Chidambaram's petition for interim protection from arrest&nbsp;will now be heard by the Supreme Court on Friday.

&nbsp;

Former finance minister P Chidambaram reached the CBI court on Thursday afternoon. He arrived at the court from the CBI office. The court has begun hearing the matter of Chidambaram's bail plea.

Former finance minister P Chidambaram reached the CBI court on Thursday afternoon. He arrived at the court from the CBI office. The court has begun hearing the matter of Chidambaram's bail plea. Chidambaram was arrested in the INX media case on Wednesday night after he failed to get relief from the Supreme Court over CBI and ED's pursuit of him as the matter was not heard by the court despite repeated efforts of his lawyers. Chidambaram's arrest became an intense political drama as CBI officials had to climb the wall of his residence to get inside his home. INX Media Case: P. Chidambaram produced in CBI court; hearing begins. https://t.co/0q8HjenRai — ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2019 × The CBI chief was part of the team that finally took the former finance minister into custody. Chidambaram appeared at the Congress party headquarters in New Delhi on Wednesday evening after being missing for over 24 hours. Chidambaram addressed the media stating that he has "not been accused of any offence". "These are lies spread by pathological liars," he said. Right after his nearly 6-minutes-long address, Chidambaram left for his residence without entertaining any questions. He was trailed by the CBI. During his press briefing, Chidambaram said that he had been working throughout the night the day before yesterday "to prepare the papers" which his team submitted before the court on Wednesday. "I was aghast that I was accused of hiding from the law while I was seeking protection from the law," he noted. "I was told by my lawyers that despite their impassioned appeals, the hearing has been scheduled for Friday," Chidambaram said. Former finance minister P Chidambaram's petition for interim protection from arrest will now be heard by the Supreme Court on Friday.

INX media case: Chidambaram arrives at CBI court, hearing on bail plea begins

Drama unfolds outside P Chidambaram’s residence in Jor Bagh. Watch this video to know more.

Breaking News: Stage set for P Chidambaram's arrest as ED, CBI teams arrives at his residence

Former finance minister, facing arrest, addressed the media from Congress office in Delhi on Wednesday night. The senior Congress leader was not seen since the High Court denied him protection from arrest on Tuesday.

Breaking: Missing for almost 24 hours, Chidambaram addresses media at Congress office

Former finance Minister P Chidambaram today went to the CBI headquarters for questioning regarding foreign investment clearances given to INX media during his tenure.

The agency had alleged irregularities in the clearance of foreign investment in INX media, a venture promoted by former media baron Peter Mukerjea and his wife Indrani, sources said.

Chidambaram's alleged role came under the scanner of investigating agencies in connection with the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance of Rs 305 crore.

The CBI had registered an FIR on May 15 last year for alleged irregularities in the FIPB clearance to INX Media for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 when Chidambaram was the finance minister during the UPA-1 government.

Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram was also arrested in the case for allegedly receiving funds to the tune of Rs 10 lakh.

The other accused in the case include then INX media director Indrani Mukerjea and then INX news director Peter Mukerjea, both in jail for alleged murder of their 24-year old daughter Sheena Bora.

The agency had alleged irregularities in the clearance of foreign investment in INX media

Former finance Minister P Chidambaram today went to the CBI headquarters for questioning regarding foreign investment clearances given to INX media during his tenure. The agency had alleged irregularities in the clearance of foreign investment in INX media, a venture promoted by former media baron Peter Mukerjea and his wife Indrani, sources said. Chidambaram's alleged role came under the scanner of investigating agencies in connection with the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance of Rs 305 crore. The CBI had registered an FIR on May 15 last year for alleged irregularities in the FIPB clearance to INX Media for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 when Chidambaram was the finance minister during the UPA-1 government. Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram was also arrested in the case for allegedly receiving funds to the tune of Rs 10 lakh. The other accused in the case include then INX media director Indrani Mukerjea and then INX news director Peter Mukerjea, both in jail for alleged murder of their 24-year old daughter Sheena Bora.

P Chidambaram at CBI headquarters for questioning in INX media case