A Palestinian anti-corruption court has sentenced the shadowy moneyman of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to 15 years in prison.

Mohammed Rashid, whose whereabouts are unknown, was convicted of siphoning off millions of dollars in public funds.

He was also fined $15 million and his properties were ordered confiscated.

He was sentenced Thursday in absentia in a court in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

Anti-corruption campaigners have lauded the case as a sign of the maturing of the Palestinian political system, although the probe also appeared to be tinged with political intrigue.

Rashid, who has in the past denied wrongdoing, made veiled threats on a website that he would disclose purported secrets about the rise to power of Arafat's successor, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.