KUWAIT CITY, Sept 30: The Public Prosecution recently approached the local banks to freeze the accounts of the lawmakers whose names came up in the money laundering scandal. It also involves the accounts of those with suspicious deposits pending the completion of investigations, reports Al-Rai daily quoting reliable sources.
Regarding those with suspicious accounts in foreign banks, sources said such banks with branches in Kuwait will be dealt with like the local banks, while those without branches here would be approached by the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) through their respective central banks to freeze any account if the need arises. He added that some of the lawmakers whose accounts were referred to the Public Prosecution have other accounts in Saudi Arabian banks, in the GCC and elsewhere.
Sources disclosed that the local banks would alongside the Public Prosecution determine which of the accounts are to be frozen, while looking into other technical issues.
The anti-money laundering law passed in 2002 gives the power to freeze suspicious accounts pending judgment, while anyone convicted faces jail term not exceeding 7 years, and fined nothing less than the amount laundered.
Banking sources revealed the accounts of many lawmakers would subsequently be referred to prosecution if the holders fail to prove their sources. He said the step would be taken even if the deposits are only in tens of thousands, as with the case of a lawmaker whose account was referred lately despite having less than KD 400,000 balance.
Meanwhile, MP Musallam Al-Barrak told Al-Rai daily that the meetings he held with MPs Al-Saadoun, Jama’an Al-Harbash and Al-Saifi focused on the multimillion dinar scandal and related interpellation. He said the meeting aimed at rallying support from all the parliamentary blocs, particularly National Action Bloc and the independent lawmakers. He is optimistic that all is going well.