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Kuwait seizes assets of two social media influencers 

August 26, 2020

KUWAIT CITY — Public Prosecutor Derar Al-Assoussi has ordered the seizure of funds and real estate property assets of two social media influencers in Kuwait over charges related to money-laundering, Kuwait Times reported Tuesday.

The order adds the pair to a growing number of social media influencers who are all under investigation for alleged money laundering and corruption, the newspaper said.

It quoted sources as saying that the public prosecutor rejected all of the grievances filed by the social media personalities relating to the judgement to seize their funds and assets.

The influencers, meanwhile, justified their grievances as claiming the money is legitimate, adding that the impounding decision had caused considerable harm, the sources were quoted as saying.

In July, Kuwait’s attorney general similarly ordered the immediate seizure of all the assets of 10 social media influencers charged with money-laundering and banned them from leaving the country.

Following the order, the country’s Minister of Finance, Barrak Al-Sheetan, issued a ministerial resolution for setting up a panel to examine the amendment of the country’s money-laundering and terrorism financing law, state news agency KUNA reported at the time.

Al-Sheetan told KUNA the panel “will examine shortcomings in existing legislations and propose adequate modifications to enhance efficiency of the financial inspection team personnel, back up their independence, boost their jurisdictions and tools for attaining the aspired objective.” — Agencies


August 26, 2020
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