Kuwaiti authorities have referred 71 individuals to court in connection with a significant corruption case involving government-distributed agricultural land, the public prosecution announced Monday. The case centers on the misappropriation of approximately KD 8.66 million in public funds, along with charges related to money laundering and other offenses.

Investigations conducted over an extended period revealed that the accused engaged in a range of corrupt activities, including bribery, deliberate damage to public funds, forgery of official documents, money laundering, and illegal profiteering. The defendants comprise a mix of senior and supervisory officials within the public sector as well as individuals holding other governmental roles. In addition to these individuals, 28 private sector legal entities are implicated in the case.

The probe was initiated following reports submitted by Kuwait’s Anti-Corruption Authority, known as Nazaha, and the country's financial intelligence unit. The public prosecution indicated that the irregularities revolve around land parcels distributed by the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources, which is responsible for allocating agricultural land to citizens.

Authorities have not yet disclosed detailed information about the identities of those involved or the specific private entities implicated. The prosecution’s referral to court marks the next step in pursuing accountability for the alleged misappropriation and associated offenses. The case underscores Kuwait’s ongoing efforts to combat corruption within public institutions and safeguard government resources.