Qatari Emir Removes Finance Minister From Office In First Decree Of 2021 - Reports

DOHA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 07th May, 2021) Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani relieved Finance Minister Ali Sharif Al Emadi, who was detained on charges of corruption and power abuse earlier in the day, from his ministerial responsibilities in the first decree of 2021, Qatar state news agency QNA stated on Thursday.

Qatar's minister of commerce and industry, Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, was appointed to head the country's finance ministry in addition to his current duties. The decree comes into immediate effect.

Earlier on Thursday, Qatari attorney general ordered the arrest of Al Emadi as part of a large-scale investigation into alleged misuse of public funds and abuse of power during his tenure as minister.

Al Emadi is one of the country's most influential politicians, sitting on the board of Qatar's $300 billion sovereign wealth fund, the Qatar Investment Authority. He was in charge of the Qatari finance ministry since 2013 and was named 2020's best minister in the region by The Banker magazine.