Kuwaiti doctor sentenced to 5 years, fined KD345,000 for salary fraud

Court upholds jail term to doctor for unlawfully receiving full salary while living abroad

Last updated: July 31, 2025 | 18:42

1 MIN READ

A Kuwaiti criminal court has rejected an appeal from a physician sentenced to five years in prison on charges of embezzling public funds.

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Dubai: A Kuwaiti criminal court has rejected an appeal from a physician sentenced to five years in prison on charges of embezzling public funds after investigators found he had been drawing a full salary while living abroad and absent from his post for years, according to Al Rai Arabic daily.

The court also upheld a fine of 345,000 Kuwaiti dinars and ordered the doctor’s dismissal from his job. Prosecutors said he collected about 115,000 dinars in unearned wages over a five year period.

The case began after the Health Ministry’s legal department uncovered that the doctor, employed at a government hospital, had not reported to work for five years while residing outside the country, yet continued to receive his salary with the collusion of another employee.

A subsequent criminal investigation confirmed that the doctor had been living overseas throughout that period, according to immigration records.

Khitam Al Amir

With over 30 years of journalistic experience spanning from Jordan to the UAE, Khitam has spent the past 22 years reporting on national and regional news from Dubai, with a strong focus on the UAE, GCC and broader Arab affairs. As Chief News Editor, she brings extensive expertise in delivering breaking and engaging news to readers. Beginning her tenure as a translator, she advanced through roles as Senior Translator and Chief Translator before transitioning to editorial positions, culminating in her current leadership role. Her responsibilities encompass monitoring breaking news across the UAE and the broader Arab region, ensuring timely and accurate dissemination to the public. Born into a family of journalists, Khitam's passion for news was ignited early in life. A defining moment in her youth occurred in September 1985 when she had the opportunity to converse with the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher during her visit to a Palestinian refugee camp north of Amman. During this encounter, Khitam shared her family's experiences of displacement from their home in Palestine and their subsequent refuge in Jordan. This poignant interaction not only deepened her understanding of geopolitical issues but also solidified her commitment to pursuing a career in journalism, aiming to shed light on the stories of those affected by regional conflicts. Khitam’s commitment to accurate and timely reporting drives her to seek out news that interests readers, making her a trusted source for news on the UAE and the broader Gulf region.

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