Qatar accuses Kenyan of getting paid to spreading misleading information

Dubai: Qatari authorities have accused a Kenyan worker of getting paid by a foreign party to spread “misleading information” inside the country, local media reported.

According to the government communications office, Malcolm Bedali, 28, will be subject to trial.

In a statement, the government office said that after a thorough investigation by the authorities, the case of Bedali was transferred to the Qatar Public Prosecution Office.

The statement added that Bedali was charged with “committing crimes related to payments he received from a foreign party for the production and distribution of misleading information inside Qatar,” explaining that he will “receive legal advice and representation before the court date, which has not yet been determined.”

Earlier this month, Qatar said that Bedali was under arrest, but refused to disclose his whereabouts and said that he was arrested on the grounds of breaching Qatar’s security laws and procedures.

The government office said in his statement that Bidali met the Kenyan ambassador in Doha and representatives of the International Labour Organisation, who would provide him with “legal representation before the court date,” adding that the Qatari authorities “are in regular contact with the Kenyan government in this regard.”