13 July 2011 MUSCAT

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayarticle.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2011/July/middleeast_July295.xml&section=middleeast&col=

The main accused in a money laundering case here has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Seeb Criminal Court. Hamoud bin Ahmed Al Ramdhani was also ordered to pay a fine of RO100,000.

Ramdhani and five others were charged with running a money laundering racket and violating the country’s Monetary Law.  They had set up three companies through which they launched illegal business portfolios, according to the case file.

Ramdhani, who had fled the country, was brought back on July 8 with the help of Interpol to stand trial.

The court found him guilty of money laundering and swindling and acting in violation of the Monetary Law.  The second, third, fourth and fifth defendants Maeen Asaad Nayef Abdulfattah, Issa bin Ali al Hussaini, Idris bin Ali al Hussaini and Faisal Mohammed Hani were given jail terms of three years.  They will also pay a fine of RO 5,000, each.

Harith bin Ahmed al Ramdhani, the sixth suspect, will serve one year in prison and was also fined RO300.  The court ordered the closure of the three companies the accused had established.  The second and third defendants will be deported after completing their jail sentence.