KSA Initiates Investigations, Pleadings in 'Corruption Cases'

Saudi Arabia's Ritz-Carlton hotel that houses those detained in the corruption probe. PHOTO: AFP
Saudi Arabia's Ritz-Carlton hotel that houses those detained in the corruption probe. PHOTO: AFP
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KSA Initiates Investigations, Pleadings in 'Corruption Cases'

Saudi Arabia's Ritz-Carlton hotel that houses those detained in the corruption probe. PHOTO: AFP
Saudi Arabia's Ritz-Carlton hotel that houses those detained in the corruption probe. PHOTO: AFP

Saudi Arabia’s public prosecutor has begun investigations and opening arguments in the corruption cases of princes, top officials and businessmen.

Saud al-Hamad, deputy attorney general for investigations, told Al Sharq Al Awsat that whoever is charged will be referred to court for prosecution in cases related to money laundering or terrorism.

Hamad said some of those under investigation had failed to respect confidential agreements while others committed further, unspecified, offenses.

Hamad underscored the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Aziz and the Crown Prince on clearing corruption from the country, noting that the Kingdom, which is under major development steps within its Vision 2030, needed to be protected from corruption.

He further stressed the role of the citizen in fighting corruption and the importance of activating the role of all government agencies that deal with countering corruption and promoting integrity.

The anti-corruption campaign is part of Prince Mohammed’s push to transform an oil-dependent economy and rid the kingdom of corruption.



Saudi Arabia Offers Condolences to Azerbaijan after Plane Crash

A handout photo made available by the press service of the Ministry for Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan shows emergency specialists working at the crash site of a passenger plane near Aktau, Kazakhstan, 25 December 2024. (EPA/Kazakhstan Emergencies Ministry handout)
A handout photo made available by the press service of the Ministry for Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan shows emergency specialists working at the crash site of a passenger plane near Aktau, Kazakhstan, 25 December 2024. (EPA/Kazakhstan Emergencies Ministry handout)
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Saudi Arabia Offers Condolences to Azerbaijan after Plane Crash

A handout photo made available by the press service of the Ministry for Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan shows emergency specialists working at the crash site of a passenger plane near Aktau, Kazakhstan, 25 December 2024. (EPA/Kazakhstan Emergencies Ministry handout)
A handout photo made available by the press service of the Ministry for Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan shows emergency specialists working at the crash site of a passenger plane near Aktau, Kazakhstan, 25 December 2024. (EPA/Kazakhstan Emergencies Ministry handout)

Saudi Arabia offered on Wednesday its condolences to Azerbaijan following the plane crash in Kazakhstan.

A Foreign Ministry statement said the Kingdom expressed its condolences to the families of the deceased and to the government and people of Azerbaijan. It wished the injured a speedy recovery.

The Muslim World League (MWL) also extended its condolences to the government and people of Azerbaijan following the crash.

An Embraer passenger jet flying from Azerbaijan to Russia crashed near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, killing 38 people while 29 survivors received hospital treatment, Kazakh authorities said.

Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243 had flown hundreds of miles off its scheduled route to crash on the opposite shore of the Caspian Sea, after what Russia's aviation watchdog said was an emergency that may have been caused by a bird strike. But an aviation expert suggested that cause seemed unlikely.

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev said according to information he had received, the plane changed course due to poor weather, but he added the cause of the crash was unknown and must be fully investigated.