A Qatari court has handed down a 20-year prison sentence to the nation’s former finance minister, Ali Sherif Al Emadi, following a high-profile corruption trial. According to court documents, Emadi was found guilty of laundering over $5.6 billion, alongside additional charges including bribery, abuse of power, and the mismanagement of public funds. In addition to his prison term, the court has imposed a staggering fine exceeding $16.7 billion, a figure that represents double the amount laundered plus significant punitive penalties.

Emadi, who was originally taken into custody in May 2021, stood trial alongside 14 co-defendants. While the conviction was finalized on January 10, he retains the right to appeal the court’s decision. Although the specific details regarding the nature of the corruption remain limited, Qatari officials have clarified that the investigation was strictly confined to his official conduct while serving as finance minister. As of now, neither Emadi nor his legal representatives have issued a public response regarding the ruling.