Mar.22, 2010

Police from other countries are helping investigate a money-laundering operation allegedly involving a Bahrain official, it emerged yesterday.

Investigations are continuing in co-operation with other countries, said well-placed sources.

They said there were no suspects in custody, but that inquiries were continuing.

Minister of State Mansoor bin Rajab was reported in yesterday's Press as publicly denying any involvement in laundering millions of dinars. But he confirmed to journalists at his weekly majlis that he had been summoned by the CID to "answer questions about myself and some employees in my ministry".

Mr Bin Rajab said he had reported to the CID and answered all their questions, but denied that he had been arrested.

It was reported on Friday that an official had been arrested, questioned and referred to the Public Prosecution, following investigations by the Economic Crimes Directorate.

Interior Ministry assistant under-secretary for legal affairs Brigadier Rashid Bu Humood earlier said the ministry discovered the laundering early last year and closely monitored in secret the official's activities in Bahrain and abroad.

His contacts and meetings with his aides and parties he was dealing with abroad were subjected to strict control, after taking all required legal measures, he said.