31 Aug 2021; MEMO: The United Arab Emirates said yesterday its Public Prosecution office would be allowed to investigate ministers and senior officials suspected of wrongdoing in order to enhance accountability, Reuters reports.
The public prosecutor can receive complaints against any senior official and they will be referred for investigation in coordination with the UAE's federal government, a statement published by the Dubai Media office said, citing a presidential decree.
The decree also allows the attorney general to ban officials under investigation from travelling and freeze their money if necessary, it added.
Ministers and senior officials weren't exempt from investigation before but the move is aimed at strengthening the legal process to improve accountability, a legal source told Reuters.
The UAE is ranked among the least corrupt countries in the Middle East and North African region in Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index.
Globally it is ranked 21 on the index.
