KUWAIT CITY, Oct 8: The Ministerial Court has sentenced former Minister Mubarak Al-Harees to four years in prison, along with a dismissal from his position. The ruling also prohibits him from holding any public office and imposes a fine of 400,000 dinars.

Al-Harees, who served as the Minister of Service Affairs and Minister of National Assembly Affairs, was charged with soliciting a gift for personal benefit. He allegedly sought to exert influence over the Kuwait Municipality and the Public Authority for Industry to secure a decision that would alter the nature of activities in the Jahra and Sulaibiya Industrial Expansion Area from industrial craft activities to commercial service activities.

The request involved two plots of land and was made without obtaining the necessary approval from the Municipal Council, in exchange for 50,000 dinars. Following the change in activity, the two plots were sold for 780,000 dinars, resulting in significant profits for both Al-Harees and the involved company due to the increased price per meter. As a result, he was convicted of illegal gain and forgery.