KUWAIT CITY, Feb 2: In a landmark ruling underscoring the gravity of corruption in public office, the Criminal Court, presided over by Counselor Nasser Al-Badr, delivered severe sentences in the high-profile commercial draws manipulation case, convicting dozens and imposing heavy prison terms and fines.

The court sentenced 19 defendants, including the first accused — a Ministry of Trade and Industry employee and head of the Free Offers Department — to 10 years’ imprisonment and imposed a staggering fine of three million Kuwaiti dinars. An additional 28 defendants were sentenced to four years in prison, while the court acquitted and dismissed charges against 36 others.

In its ruling, the court highlighted the exceptional seriousness of the crimes, stressing that the first defendant abused his position as a public official to deceive the system and manipulate commercial draws for illicit personal gain, setting what the court described as a dangerous and unethical precedent that violates the principles of justice and equal opportunity.

The court warned that such practices strike at the heart of public trust, undermining the credibility of commercial draws, eroding confidence in regulatory bodies, and fostering a sense of frustration and injustice among the public. It noted that the manipulation harmed the rights of legitimate participants, weakened confidence in official documents and commercial transactions, and ultimately damaged the state’s financial reputation before international institutions.

Emphasizing the sanctity of public office, the court stated that government positions are not granted as tools for private enrichment, but are a trust that must be upheld with integrity and impartiality. Betraying that trust, the court said, sends a “poisoned message” that rights can be obtained through deception rather than merit — a violation so severe that it necessitates strict punishment to deter both the convicted and others who may contemplate similar crimes.

The Public Prosecution confirmed that the case — involving 73 accused in total — was not an isolated incident or individual lapse, but rather an organized criminal operation carried out through a coordinated network that deliberately tampered with the outcomes of multiple commercial draws, striking at the core of fairness and transparency.

During earlier hearings, prosecutors revealed that the defendants exploited their official positions and gaps in oversight to secure unlawful financial benefits, which were then shared among members of the network.

The ruling marks one of the most forceful judicial responses to corruption in commercial practices, sending a clear message that manipulation, abuse of power, and betrayal of public trust will be met with the full force of the law.