Dubai’s Court of Appeal has modified a significant money laundering conviction, reducing the prison sentence for Indian businessman Balvinder Singh Sahni, known as ‘Abu Sabah,’ while substantially increasing the financial penalties for him and 32 co-defendants. The ruling involves one of the largest money laundering operations uncovered in the UAE.
Key Takeaways
- Abu Sabah’s jail term reduced from five to four years.
- Total financial penalties for the group increased to Dh150 million.
- 33 defendants convicted, with varying sentences and fines.
- Case involved shell companies and suspicious cross-border transfers.
Revised Sentencing and Financial Penalties
The Dubai Court of Appeal has upheld a four-year prison sentence for Abu Sabah, a prominent businessman with a property management firm. This marks a reduction from the initial five-year sentence handed down by a criminal court. However, the appeals court significantly increased the financial repercussions for Abu Sabah and his 32 co-defendants.
Collectively, the defendants are now ordered to pay Dh150 million, in addition to a Dh500,000 fine. The court also affirmed the confiscation of illicit assets. Abu Sabah is slated for deportation following the completion of his sentence.
The Money Laundering Network
Abu Sabah was initially convicted of laundering money as part of an organized network that utilized shell companies and clandestine cross-border transfers to conceal illicit funds. The initial sentencing included a five-year prison term, a Dh500,000 fine, and an order to forfeit Dh150 million.
The appeals court’s decision makes the Dh150 million penalty a joint liability shared among all defendants in the case. In total, 33 individuals were convicted, with some tried in absentia. Eleven defendants received five-year sentences and Dh500,000 fines, while 10 others were sentenced to one year in prison and fined Dh200,000 each. Three companies involved were fined Dh5 million apiece. Authorities also ordered the seizure of funds, electronic devices, and mobile phones linked to the criminal activities.
Investigation and Case Origins
The investigation into this sophisticated money-laundering network began following a tip to the Dubai Police. The case was subsequently referred to prosecutors in December 2024, with the first hearings commencing in January. Investigators uncovered a complex scheme designed to disguise the origins of illegal funds.