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5 November 2009
Lieutenant-General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, on Wednesday said anti-corruption authorities should be established at a federal level to add the weight needed to investigate and prosecute senior officials who think they are above the law.
“They should understand that the government is transparent and will bring them to justice,” Tamim said.
It comes as the UAE intensifies its long-running crackdown on corruption that began more than a year ago.
Prosecutors in corruption cases in Dubai Courts have been calling for harsh or maximum possible penalties against suspects.
Most of the bribery and corruption cases are now similar in how charges are framed but prosecutors are requesting that judges consider other executives, such as sales managers and operations managers within real estate firms, as public officials.
According to prosecution representatives, changing the official description of the executive on trial from a private to a public official could invite stricter and harsher penalties.
Tamim said the government would strictly punish those involved in corruption and embezzlement of public money as a deterrent to others.
“When fighting corruption we are shocked to find the corrupt person is a close friend, relative or somebody whom we trust,” he said.
“But if we follow our heart, we will not take the right action.”
He said national interest was paramount and anyone suspected of being corrupt should be referred to the courts.
“Earlier, I addressed the Ministry of Justice to put anti-corruption legislation but this proposal was postponed,” he said. “However, the current criminal law has articles for those who embezzle or exploit their profession to gain illegal profit,” he added.
More than a dozen cases pertaining to corruption and financial irregularities within government-owned firms are being examined by Dubai Courts.
Many high-profile cases recently have required financial auditors and investigators from overseas to lend their expertise. A specialised federal team would be better equipped to pursue cases.
The most recent corruption case involves an Emirati senior executive of Dubai Holding who has been detained by law enforcement officers. He has been questioned over alleged embezzlement of about Dh200 million as unlawful gains made through property deals.
