Qatar - Emir
About
Qatar’s ruler, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, descends from a family that has ruled the tiny Arabian Peninsula country, home to the world’s third-largest natural gas reserve, for nearly 170 years. Tamim rose to power in 2013 after his father abdicated the throne, marking a peaceful transition in contrast to the palace coups of his predecessors.
Despite hosting one of the largest U.S. military bases in the Middle East, Qatar, under Tamim’s rule, has maintained close relations with U.S. adversaries like Iran and Islamic militant groups. In 2017, several Arab countries cut off trade and diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism — a charge the country denied. Relations were restored in 2021. Tamim issued a decree leading to the country’s first elections, which were held this month, marking an apparent easing of Qatar’s authoritarianism. He has also tried to raise his country’s international profile through sports events, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which already has been marred by allegations of corruption and bribery.
Political Career
Ruler of Qatar (June 2013-present)
Crown Prince of Qatar (2003-2013)
Deputy commander in chief (2009-2013)
In The Pandora Papers
Leaked documents show that the emir is linked to two companies registered in the British Virgin Islands, both of which own high-end London properties. In May 2015, Tamim’s Private Affairs Office incorporated a company, called Tharb, in Qatar to own real estate. The sole director is Sultan Ghanim Al Kuwari, a member of the emir’s office. The company became the ultimate owner of 1 Cornwall Terrace, one of the most expensive properties in London, through an elaborate offshore structure. News outlets had previously reported that Tamim’s mother, Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, had bought the three properties that make up 1, 2 and 3 Cornwall Terrace for $187 million in 2013.
In July 2015, Tharb became the ultimate beneficial owner of Golden Satalite Ltd., which was incorporated in 2012. In February 2013, the deputy head of the emir’s father’s private office, Mohammed Al Qahtani, was listed as a director of Golden Satalite, and the emir’s private secretary, Hamad Al Attiyah, was listed as a shareholder. A subsidiary of Golden Satalite is another BVI company called LND Estates Ltd., incorporated in 2004, which directly owns 1 Cornwall Terrace. A June 2018 document put the property’s value at $110 million. The previous owner of the subsidiary was Swiru Holding AG, a company owned by a Swiss banker, Alexander-Walter Studhalter. Swiru Holding was fined $1.5 million by a French court for helping Sulaiman Kerimov, described in one news story as a “secretive Kremlin-connected Russian tycoon,” buy a luxury villa in southern France and allegedly evade taxes.
Kerimov’s lawyer denied any connection between his client and the company.
A spokesman for the Qatari government declined to respond to ICIJ’s repeated requests for comments by publication time.
Secrecy Jurisdictions
British Virgin Islands
Panama
Secrecy Broker
At the heart of the Pandora Papers are 14 offshore firms that help clients establish companies in secrecy jurisdictions. This profile draws on leaked data from these providers:
Discover this Power Player’s offshore connections.
The information on this profile is current as of October 3, 2021. Read more about the Pandora Papers data.