In a significant legal move, Kuwait's Public Prosecution has imposed a media ban on coverage related to the ongoing raffle draw scam inquiry that has exposed serious law violations and financial misconduct.

The prosecution stated that the ban is intended to prevent any "negative impact" from media reports or social media discussions that could influence the course of the investigation or harm the national interests of Kuwait. It also seeks to uphold the principle of innocence until proven guilty and safeguard the privacy of those involved.

 

Six Suspects Held for Legal Violations

Authorities have ordered the remand of a Kuwaiti citizen and five expatriates accused of being involved in serious crimes, including:

• Forgery of official documents

• Bribery

• Facilitating the illegal seizure of state funds

• Money laundering

The case erupted when a video surfaced on social media last week, allegedly showing the manipulation of a raffle draw. The Interior Ministry identified the individual in the footage as the head of the draws department at the Ministry of Commerce, who reportedly exploited his position to rig prize draws in favor of certain individuals for financial gains.

 

Search Operations Yield Evidence

Following extensive investigations, prosecutors have executed multiple arrest and search warrants against six suspects and issued international arrest warrants for three others who have reportedly fled the country.

The search of the suspects' properties uncovered a large cache of valuables, including:

• Gold bracelets and necklaces

• Luxury watches and pens

• Significant cash amounts

Additionally, documents, laptops, and mobile phones containing evidence of manipulation and forgery were seized.

 

Financial Accounts Frozen

The prosecution has also ordered a freeze on the suspects' bank deposits, both local and international. They have requested detailed statements from banks and forex companies about the suspects’ financial activities.

 

Legal Updates to Follow

While the media ban is in place, the public prosecution clarified that updates on the inquiry will be shared upon the conclusion of the investigations. The authorities reiterated the importance of allowing the law to take its course without external influence.

 

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