Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03AMMAN4240
2003-07-10 15:47:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

FORMER GID HEAD CONVICTED IN BANK SCANDAL CASE

Tags:  PGOV PREL PHUM KCRM JO 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 004240 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/10/2012
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KCRM JO
SUBJECT: FORMER GID HEAD CONVICTED IN BANK SCANDAL CASE

REF: A. AMMAN 00687 B. AMMAN 00794

Classified By: Ambassador Edward W. Gnehm for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 004240

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/10/2012
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KCRM JO
SUBJECT: FORMER GID HEAD CONVICTED IN BANK SCANDAL CASE

REF: A. AMMAN 00687 B. AMMAN 00794

Classified By: Ambassador Edward W. Gnehm for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Former General Intelligence Directorate (GID) head
Samih Battikhi was sentenced to 8 years in prison on July 10
after being convicted of fraud and forgery charges, which
stem from a bank fraud scandal associated with Jordanian
businessman Majd Shamayleh (see reftels). One Embassy source
said that when current GID head Sa'ad Kheir ratified the
court's judgment, he reduced Battikhi's prison sentence to
four years. GOJ prosecutors told the specially-convened
military tribunal that Battikhi had embezzled JD 17 million.
At least some of Battikhi's assets have been seized by the
GOJ.


2. (C) Prosecuting Battikhi serves the dual purpose of
highlighting the GOJ's anti-corruption efforts while
underscoring to the public that no one is above the law,
including former senior GOJ officials. Although the King may
issue a royal pardon to Battikhi before he serves out his
sentence, the message--which was generally well-received by
the public--has been made.
GNEHM