Kuwait to try pro-Assad businessman on money laundering

KUWAIT CITY

Kuwaiti authorities will refer a Syrian businessman and five others to the public prosecution over charges of money laundering, local media reported on Wednesday.

Businessman Mazen al-Tarzi was arrested late Monday from his work place at Al-Hadaf magazine, Al-Qabas newspaper reported.

The arrest came following investigations that "may include espionage cases especially with [Lebanese group] Hezbollah", the daily said.

"Al-Tarzi denied the charges at first, but data found on his electronic devices and documents confiscated from his office disclosed his involvement," the newspaper said.

He was also found to have contacts with "influential individuals close to the Syrian regime," according to Al-Qabas.

The Kuwaiti authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the arrest.

Al-Tarazi has been living in Kuwait for several years where he owns advertising companies.

He founded several firms in Syria as well, including an airline company. He also launched and sponsored a campaign encouraging refugees to return to Syria, which fell into a vicious civil war in 2011 after the Bashar al-Assad regime launched a deadly crackdown on pro-democracy protests.

Writing by Mahmoud Barakat