Saudi Arabia becomes 1st Arab country to get FATF membership
Riyadh, June 22: Saudi Arabia has become the first Arab country to be granted full membership of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) following the group''s annual general meeting in the US.
The kingdom''s accession came as the global money laundering watchdog celebrated the 30th anniversary of its first meeting held in Paris in 1989, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Saudi Arabia which had received an invitation from the FATF at the beginning of 2015 to join as an "observer member", was admitted into the organization after the group''s meeting in Orlando, Florida, on Friday.
Saudi Arabia had been a founding member of the MENA arm of the group since November 2004, and its full membership came after it was reported the kingdom had made "tangible progress" and for its efforts in implementing the FATF''s guidelines.
The group is responsible for issuing international standards, policies and best practices to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation.
With the kingdom becoming a FATF member, the number of permanent members in the group is now 39.
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LDF MLA P V Anwar booked by Kerala police for remarks against Rahul Gandhi
Palakkad (Kerala) (PTI): LDF MLA P V Anwar has been booked for the penal offence of promoting enmity between different groups due to his remarks that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was a "fourth-grade citizen" and that his DNA should be examined.
Anwar, while addressing an election meeting in Palakkad district of Kerala on April 22, had also said that the Congress leader does not deserve to be called by the surname of Gandhi.
Following the incident, a case was registered at Nattukal police station against the LDF MLA on Friday, April 26, on the directions of a magisterial court, according to the FIR.
Anwar has been booked for the offences under section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups) of the IPC and section 125 (promoting enmity between classes in connection with election) of the Representation of People Act.
The magisterial court's direction came on a complaint moved by advocate Baiju Noel Rosario.
Anwar's remarks against Gandhi came in the wake of the Congress leader's comments questioning why Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was exempted from being interrogated and arrested by central agencies, though several allegations had cropped up against the Left veteran.
The LDF MLA's remarks were later justified by Vijayan who said the Congress leader was not someone beyond criticism.
