Qatari finance minister arrested over embezzlement charges

International media, Qatar’s chief prosecutor ordered the arrest of the country’s Finance Minister for questioning on suspected financial offences and power abuse. The minister will be questioned on reported crimes related to his post including harm to the public money and abuse of power.

Emadi has served as a finance minister of the wealthy state of the gulf since 2013. He also sits on the board of Qatar’s powerful $300 billion sovereign wealth fund, according to the Qatar Investment Authority.

Emadi is also chairman of the board of directors of Qatar National Bank, the most prominent and the largest finance lender in the Middle East and Africa.

"The findings and investigation are related to his government position as finance minister and not to his board member roles at other entities," a source with knowledge of the investigation added.

Emadi, being the newly appointed finance minister back then played a vital role in flourishing Qatar’s economy through his economic policies during the 2014-2015 oil price crash that promoted the country’s economy including other Gulf countries.

The embezzlement accused, Emadi was named The Best Minister of 2020 by The Banker, an international financial magazine.

There was no immediate comment from Al Emadi who has been finance minister since June 2013.