Afghanistan’s Supreme Court on Tuesday sentenced the former Afghan minister of Commerce and Industries, Mohammad Amin Farhang, to one year in prison and fined him $864,000. He was charged with corruption.

However, Farhang was not present at the court session.

Based on the ruling, Farhang was charged with misusing his authority in his handling of a raisin export contract.

Farhang was also sued for the purchase of 100,000 metric tons of oil. But the court is expected to decide on the case soon.

According to the prosecutors, Farhang caused a $19 million loss to the government in his actions involving an import of oil. 

“The court sentences a one-year prison term and $864,000 fine,” said judge Abdul Malik Kamawi.

But the defense lawyer denied the allegations against his Farhang.

“No wrongdoing or violations occurred,” said defense lawyer Jabber Ahmad Ahmadi.

The Office of the Attorney General of Afghanistan has said that more corruption cases involving ex-cabinet ministers will be referred to the court in the near future.

Farhang served as economy minister and commerce and industries minister between 2001 and 2008.

He was fired from the post by the parliament in 2008 over a gas price hike.