KUWAIT CITY, Oct 31: The Misdemeanor Court acquitted a citizen of usury (granting loans with exorbitant interest) , in which the amount involved reached KD 58,000. The Public Prosecution charged the citizen with usury, because he took advantage of the victim’s need for money by granting a loan with exorbitant interest. The case was registered at Yarmouk Police Station.

According to the case files, the investigation officer confirmed that an agreement was reached between the plaintiff and the accused that the latter would hand over money to the former after an agreement between them that the borrower would return the money with interest. The officer did not mention the value or percentage of the interest.

The defendant’s lawyer, Attorney Abdul Mohsen Al-Qattan, confirmed that his client lent KD58,000 to the plaintiff to help the latter, but he did not take any interest. The lawyer argued that the statements of the victim and the investigation officer were presented without clear evidence. He pointed out there are no documents affirming that the accused committed usury, stressing the innocence of his client

By Jaber Al-Hamoud

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff