Saudi Arabia Sentences 4 People to 28 Years in Jail for Money Laundering

A Saudi money changer displays Saudi riyal banknotes at a currency exchange shop in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia July 27, 2017. (Reuters)
A Saudi money changer displays Saudi riyal banknotes at a currency exchange shop in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia July 27, 2017. (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Sentences 4 People to 28 Years in Jail for Money Laundering

A Saudi money changer displays Saudi riyal banknotes at a currency exchange shop in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia July 27, 2017. (Reuters)
A Saudi money changer displays Saudi riyal banknotes at a currency exchange shop in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia July 27, 2017. (Reuters)

The Riyadh Criminal Court sentenced four people to a total of 28 years in prison and fines of up to 20 million riyals for their involvement in money laundering and business licensing fraud.

According to a senior official in the Saudi Public Prosecution, the Criminal Court also ordered the confiscation of 2 million riyals and two computers, a laptop and money-counting machine, which were found with the accused.

More than 375 million riyals deposited outside the Kingdom for the purpose of money laundering were also seized by the Court.

The investigations found that the group - formed of one Saudi and three expatriates - was guilty of money laundering and business licensing fraud in Riyadh.

The senior official also said that the court ruled to revoke the perpetrators’ commercial registration and license and force them to pay Zakat, taxes, fees and other financial obligations.

The three convicted expats will be deported from the Kingdom after serving their jail terms, according to the Public Prosecution official. They will be barred from returning to the Kingdom.



Saudi Foreign Minister Receives UNRWA Commissioner-General

Saudi FM receives UNRWA Commissioner-General. (SPA)
Saudi FM receives UNRWA Commissioner-General. (SPA)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Receives UNRWA Commissioner-General

Saudi FM receives UNRWA Commissioner-General. (SPA)
Saudi FM receives UNRWA Commissioner-General. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received on Wednesday the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini.
During the meeting, both sides discussed the strong partnership between the Kingdom and UNRWA. They also reviewed recent regional developments and the ongoing efforts to address key challenges related to these issues.
In a related context, Arab reactions continue after Israel’s publications of maps annexing parts of Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs slammed Israel’s “extremist” acts that reflect Israel’s “intentions to consolidate its occupation and continue its flagrant violation of the sovereignty of those nations.”
Saudi Arabia reiterated its call for the international community to fulfill its role in halting Israel’s violations against the countries and peoples of the region.
The Kingdom emphasized the importance of respecting the sovereignty and borders of nations to prevent further escalation of regional crises and to support efforts aimed at achieving a just and comprehensive peace.

The Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, also issued a strong condemnation of Israel’s maps publications, saying it “reflects a state of right-wing extremism and religious obsession prevailing within the Israeli government”.