In the latest crackdown on corruption, Saudi Arabia on Sunday revealed it arrested 298 people involved in corruption cases, some dating back 15 years and involving over $ 100 million.
“674 people were rounded up and 298 of them have been charged and arrested,” Saudi Arabia’s Control and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) said on Sunday.
An investigation into those accused of corruption found that a total of SR379 million was involved in administrative and financial irregularities, the Saudi Press Agency quoted Nazaha as saying.
Nazaha said it interrogated 674 people, out of whom corruption charges were leveled against 298 individuals.
Their cases will be referred to the special court. Defendants were charged with various financial and administrative corruption crimes represented in bribery, embezzlement, waste of public money, exploitation of position, and misuse of public office, the commission said in a statement.
Investigations found that 16 persons, including eight military officers — one of whom is a major general and others who are retired military officers — were charged with misusing government contracts at the Ministry of Defense and their involvement in bribery and money-laundering crimes between 2005 and 2015.
Those booked for abuse of power, accepting bribe and other charges include two judges, two majors general, one brigadier general and three colonels.
Also, Twenty-one people, including two women and three expatriates, were found to be involved in financial and administrative corruption crimes by misusing contracts at the General Directorate of Health Affairs in the Eastern Province.
Nazaha appreciated the positive role of ministers through their continuous cooperation in eradicating various forms of corruption. It also underscored the ability of the judiciary to combat corruption while maintaining fair trial standards in a manner that achieves the elimination of this scourge.
