AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Jordan's military court on Tuesday convicted four men, including an ex-finance minister, for bribery and sentenced them to three years in jail in a rare public corruption trial.
The case marks a change for Jordan, where corruption involving top officials is rarely made public for fear of tarnishing the country’s reputation and discouraging badly needed foreign investment.
Jordan’s newly appointed Prime Minister Samir Rifai, however, has repeatedly pledged to crack down on corruption.
Prosecutors said three officials received bribes from a Jordanian tycoon to secure him a $2.1 billion tender to rehabilitate and expand Jordan’s only oil refinery.
Although the court convicted Adel Qudah, the ex-minister, along with the refinery head and an adviser to the prime minister, for bribery, they were acquitted of using their public offices for personal gain.
Analyst Saleh Zaitoon called the punishment "light," saying that such a public corruption case "should have given a lesson to others," and recommended the confiscation of defendants’ assets and lengthening their prison terms.
The Appeals Court must endorse the sentence and conviction before the men can be imprisoned and they will remain free in the meantime.
Ahmed Najdawi, defendant’s lawyer said he would appeal the verdict.
