Four Sama Dubai execs arrested - report

By Dylan Bowman
  • Thursday, 21 August 2008 5:38 PM
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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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Posted by: prefer to not to Sunday, 24 August 2008 9:15 AM[UAE] - uae

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.

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Posted by: Kaptain Saturday, 23 August 2008 3:06 PM[UAE] - United Arab Emirates

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.

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Posted by: john Saturday, 23 August 2008 1:42 PM[UAE] - uae

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

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Posted by: MOHAMMED KALEEMULLAH Saturday, 23 August 2008 1:17 PM[UAE] - U.A.E.

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.

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Posted by: Ashok Kumar Agarwal Saturday, 23 August 2008 1:07 PM[UAE] - India

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.

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