The Amman Court of Appeals Monday convicted a former Minister of Works of dereliction of duty, and sentenced him to one month in prison and a fine of 500 dinars, in a case involving the loss of 161,942 dinars.

Convening in a public session, presided over by Judge Mohammad Sharari with Judges Talal Aqrabawi and Mousa Miqdadi as members, the court found the minister "himself not guilty of abuse of office for personal gain."

Another defendant in the same case, who was authorized to sign on behalf of Modern Laboratories, an entity involved in the case, was sentenced to a three-month prison term, plus the fees, after the court amended the charge to become "interference in the misuse of office."

On March 31, the Amman Court of First Instance issued a ruling convicting the unnamed former minister of the felony of breach of office without a legitimate reason.