DUBAI // The former governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre, Omar bin Sulaiman, has been released from custody after repaying Dh51.5 million (US$14m) he obtained during his tenure at DIFC, Dubai Public prosecution announced last night. The Attorney General, Essam Eissa al Humaidan, denied earlier reports that bin Sulaiman had been released on bail. In a press statement, Mr al Humaidan said: "Bin Sulaiman was not released on bail but was released after repayment of the amounts he acquired through issuing annual bonuses worth Dh51.5 million." The release is covered by a recently amended law issued by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Ruler of Dubai and Vice President of the UAE, late last year.
The amendment states that penalties of up to 20 years in jail may be imposed on those convicted of the embezzlement of public funds, but that they should be released immediately if the money is returned. "The introduction of this law was to safeguard public interests and also to entice defrauders to repay the amounts embezzled," said Dr Ali al Jarman, the managing partner at the law firm Prestige Advocates.
Mr al Humaidan said that the repayment of the funds did not end the matter. "The repayment does not affect ongoing investigations regarding irregularities branching out from the primary one," he said. "The public prosecution still has the right to refer him to court or dismiss the case; this will be decided only upon completion of the investigations." A family source close to the investigation said bin Sulaiman's family have been in talks with prosecutors since last month. A Dh50 million bond was presented on April 16 but was refused by the attorney general because investigations were not complete.
Bin Sulaiman was provisionally detained in March after an investigation by the Dubai Government Financial Audit Department revealed that in his position as DIFC governor he had obtained funds fraudulently under the pretext of annual bonuses. He was accused of abusing his public position and appropriating public funds. The investigation, according to the attorney general, is being handled by prosecutor Salim bin Khadem of the Monetary and Public Funds specialised prosecution under the supervision of the chief prosecutor, Ismail Madani.
Bin Sulaiman held a number of high-profile positions within Dubai Government institutions. He was removed from his post as governor of the DIFC in November and replaced by Ahmed Humaid al Tayer. Bin Sulaiman and his lawyer were not available for comment last night. No statement has been made by Bin Sulaiman or his lawyer since his arrest. Dubai launched a high-profile anti-corruption campaign in 2008 in which several well-known business figures were arrested.
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