Bahrain’s Shura Council has given the green light to a new law that criminalises bribery and embezzlement in the private sector and imposes tough new punishments.

It states those found guilty, whether the briber or the person bribed, would get up to 10 years in jail, according to a report in our sister publication the Gulf Daily News.

The law would apply to everyone working in the private sector, including top officials such as company chairmen, chief executive officers, directors, heads and chiefs.

Embezzlement

Anyone convicted of bribery or embezzlement will also have the money or gift involved seized by the state.

Parliament foreign affairs, defence and national security committee chairman Dr Shaikh Khalid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa said the law was in line with anti-corruption conventions signed by Bahrain.

"The article covers all those involved in bribes and embezzlements and is in line with new international standards," he said.

It is expected to cover loopholes in existing legislation.

The proposal will now go to His Majesty King Hamad for ratification. – TradeArabia News Service