Saudi individuals detained over the weekend were questioned as part of anti-corruption investigations in the oil-rich kingdom, Attorney General Saud al-Mojeb said on Monday, adding that a great deal of detailed evidence had been gathered against the detainees.
“The government of Saudi Arabia is undertaking these measures in accordance with its laws and regulations in a manner appropriate to the nature of the crimes,” said Mojeb.
Mojeb, who is also member of National Anti-Corruption Commission (Nazaha), pointed out that the trial for the defendants will take place in the right time. He explained that given the nature of the case and investigations and in order to preserve the integrity of the legal proceedings, it was crucial to maintain the secrecy of the first phase of investigations.
“Yesterday does not represent the start, but the completion of Phase One of our anti-corruption push,” Mojeb said, adding that it was necessary to complete the first phase discreetly "in order to preserve the integrity of the legal proceedings and ensure there was no flight from justice.”
The Attorney General assured that the suspects are being granted the same rights and treatment as any other Saudi citizen.
“Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and everyone’s legal rights will be preserved," he added.
Mojeb said this is the beginning “of a vital process to root out corruption" in Saudi Arabia reiterating that this will be an independent judicial process and it will be fully respected.
Nazaha President Khalid al-Muhaisen said the detentions came after three years of work by Saudi anti-corruption authorities and it confirms the determination of both Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to uproot corruption.
He indicated that the evidence of transgressions and financial mismanagement uncovered recently points to widespread corruption in a number of cases.
"The responsibility of the new anti-corruption committee is to ensure that investigations into those cases are completed, and that the full force of the law is applied," Muhaisen said. He explained that the committee has the authority to reveal the bank details of the accused, freeze their assets and funds, and take other appropriate measures.
Muhaisen stated Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has stated clearly, no one is above the law, and no one who is proven to have indulged in corruption will escape, not even a prince or a minister.
Fighting corruption is not the responsibility of one party, every citizen should participate in this civic duty, according to Muhaisen who also reiterated that this is a battle that "we can win if we all fight together."
