Four Sama Dubai execs arrested - report

EXEC DETAINED: Almarri (pictured) is one of four Sama Dubai employees detained by police. (Supplied)

Four senior employees of state-owned developer Sama Dubai have been arrested and are being questioned by public prosecution, the latest in a string of executives caught up in the Dubai government's crackdown on corporate corruption.

One of those being questioned is Abdulsalam Almarri, CEO of the Lagoons project, newswire Zawya Dow Jones reported on Thursday, citing documents it has seen.

According to Zawya Dow Jones all four have been detained on allegations of bribery and mistrust.

Sama Dubai was not available for comment when contacted by Arabian Business.

The arrests at Sama come just a week after Nakheel confirmed one of its employees is being quizzed over bribery allegations and Tamweel's biggest shareholder Istithmar World said the mortgage lender's former chief executive and head of investments have also been detained.

The Dubai government has embarked on a massive drive to stamp out corruption in region's financial hub, with the public prosecutor earlier this week reiterating the government's strict stance and warning it will take action against violators.

Investigations are also underway into ex-employees of Deyaar Development, including its former CEO, and Dubai Islamic Bank.

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lagoons - first in a line of dominos?
Posted by prefer to not to, dubai, uae on Sunday 24 August 2008 at 09:15 UAE time

Is anyone really surprise by this? Do people believe that in the UAE there is no problem with corruption? If the government is now serious about stamping this out then this can only be the start of a long line of exposures, and will be further fuelled by whistle-blowers who will no longer feel inclined to keep their mouths shut.

Why would they WANT to commit such crime?
Posted by Kaptain, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Saturday 23 August 2008 at 15:06 UAE time

With so much money afloat and around in the Mid East corroborated with lesser poverty in the national / local percentage. One wonders, why would somebody at this commanding post resort to such unwanted crime? Weren't they paid well? Don't they drive super-natural cars? Don't they pride in their lavish villas? Don't they spend 2 weeks every year at a foreign resort? What would make them resort to such step?

Psychological analysis with crime investigation must be done as well. This could be a Foreign University study project as well. Could lead to some astounding findings. Surely.

corruption
Posted by john, uae on Saturday 23 August 2008 at 13:42 UAE time


just wondering...what will happen to these people once convicted?will they be blacklisted?deported?banned for life?

WHIMSICAL SHARIAH?
Posted by MOHAMMED KALEEMULLAH, DUBAI, U.A.E. on Saturday 23 August 2008 at 13:17 UAE time


An unnamed well-wisher has connected and blamed somehow the Sharia with UAE Corruption, which is no where related. In fact this letter showed whimsical notions of biased humans, especially people who remains anonymous and annoy others. For there is no relation between the word 'whimsical' and 'Sharia'. Sharia is complete in itself. The habit of blaming, dragging Islam or Sharia for anything, anytime is not good and shows the grudges clearly. Dont add another word 'whimsical Sharia' in your terminology, already we are contended with the label 'Islamic terrorists'. Being a responsible paper, Arabian Business should know where to draw the line. I believe Moral corruption is worst than the finanicial one.

Fraud and Corruption in Real Estate
Posted by Ashok Kumar Agarwal, New Delhi, India on Saturday 23 August 2008 at 13:07 UAE time


It is pity that such tings are happening in Dubai which may tarnish the image of this beautiful country.

Indeed Arabian Business is doing a tremendous job in reporting the corruption in the Dubai bureaucracy and bringing up the facts before the general public.

Keep up the good work. All kudos to you.

UAE corruption
Posted by prefer to remain unnamed on Friday 22 August 2008 at 23:48 UAE time

well, it goes without saying that the real estate market in the UAE is completely over inflated.

No sane person should invest in this country's real estate. Unless you like sink holes.

Do not buy in Dubai. Contact your local embassy and do your research. the UAE barely has a functioning legal system which often falls under the whimsical SHARIA hand or/ and WASTA hands.

There is a whole world of REAL booming markets but the UAE has no future in terms of work, jobs, long term economy etc..

the laws will not protect the investors and if anything that is why there is corruption. The laws in fact do not exist and those that do are minimal and non effective.

You are dealing with a newly formed legal system, less than ten years old and which follows Sharia law and WASTA on whim.

This is a poor business decision for anyone from the WEST.

About Time
Posted by John Doe on Friday 22 August 2008 at 13:22 UAE time

There's nothing wrong with the detecting system my friend, this was bound to happen and it will go on happening because of the filthy greedy investors and real estate developers!

It's only a matter of time until further reports like this are published, it's a surprise that the Dubai Govt is being so transparent in their corruption charges and reports!

Attn. ArabianBusiness.Com
Posted by aaqib on Friday 22 August 2008 at 13:08 UAE time


....... 'and this week sub-developer Schon Properties announced full refunds for some investors in the 3 billion-dirham ($816.7 million) project' ........

I've been noticing the incompetence of your reporters very often .
Regarding the above line ,Schon Properties have no link to THE LAGOONS Project by Sama Dubai but they are the developers of DUBAI LAGOONS Project which is also a mess .
Just by similar names ,don't mix them as one to create false panic !!!! Doesn't the editor verify & check the reports before publishing it on this site .Then how come mistakes continuously occur ????

Kudos to Arabian Business
Posted by M Reader, London, UK on Friday 22 August 2008 at 13:02 UAE time


I haven't read Arabian Business for a while, but have spent most of today reading through it all. I'm amazed that a Dubai-based publication is finally covering real stories, reporting real news and exposing some of the darker elements in the UAE. Absolutely fantastic. Keep up the good work!

what a shame
Posted by Awadh Al Hajri on Friday 22 August 2008 at 05:06 UAE time


is this for real?
this is not transparency!!
who else is not involved in one of these frauds?
every day a new case appears, i think there is something wrong with the detecting system.

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