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Saudi Authorities Jail 6 People in Money Laundering Cases

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Saudi Authorities Jail 6 People in Money Laundering Cases

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

Saudi authorities have convicted six suspects in money laundering cases, an official source at the Public Prosecution announced on Sunday.

Judicial verdicts were issued against the six, sentencing them to 31 years in jail and slapping them with fines, amounting to more than SR152 million.

The fines represent the equivalent value of illegal funds that the convicts smuggled outside the Kingdom. The court rulings also included a travel ban on the convicted citizens for a period equal to their jail terms and the deportation of the expatriate convicts after serving their prison term.

Some citizens, who are owners of commercial entities such as furniture upholstery and flower business as well as fake establishments, and several expatriates were involved in money laundering transactions.

The Public Prosecution source said that the investigations had proved that these citizens allowed the expatriates to use their bank accounts, in return for a monthly fee of SR10,000, to be a cover in transferring their illegal funds to outside the Kingdom. The transactions were made under the pretext of practicing bogus commercial activities that are considered a criminal act according to article two of the Anti-Money Laundering Law.

The source noted that the Public Prosecution has been exerting concerted efforts, in coordination with the relevant government bodies and agencies, such as the Ministry of Commerce, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, and the Saudi Central Bank, to achieve the desired results in combating all money-related crimes.

It also stressed that the Public Prosecution would lay down severe penalties against those involved in activities that are harmful to the Kingdom’s financial and economic security.

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Gulf

GCC Secretary-General Highlights Joint Efforts to Combat Money Laundering

Al-Budaiwi speaking to attendees at the introductory workshop on international best practices in combating money laundering and terrorist financing in Riyadh (GCC)
Al-Budaiwi speaking to attendees at the introductory workshop on international best practices in combating money laundering and terrorist financing in Riyadh (GCC)
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GCC Secretary-General Highlights Joint Efforts to Combat Money Laundering

Al-Budaiwi speaking to attendees at the introductory workshop on international best practices in combating money laundering and terrorist financing in Riyadh (GCC)
Al-Budaiwi speaking to attendees at the introductory workshop on international best practices in combating money laundering and terrorist financing in Riyadh (GCC)

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi stressed on Monday that the GCC states attach the utmost importance to developing their national capabilities to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.

These remarks were made during his speech at the introductory workshop on international best practices in combating money laundering and terrorist financing, held at the General Secretariat headquarters in Riyadh.

"Combating money laundering and terrorist financing constitutes a fundamental pillar for protecting the integrity of financial systems, bolstering economic stability, and confronting criminal activities and their funding sources," he stated in his opening remarks.

Albudaiwi highlighted the GCC states' continued dedication to strengthening their national capabilities and developing regulatory and institutional frameworks aligned with international standards and best practices.

He explained that the General Secretariat plays an essential role in fostering Gulf coordination in this field by representing the GCC member states in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF), monitoring relevant international developments, and facilitating the transfer of expertise and practices that support member states' efforts.

"The workshop coincides with the fifth round of Mutual Evaluations conducted by FATF, which requires a high level of coordination and preparedness, a precise understanding of international requirements and standards, and the ability to demonstrate the effectiveness of implemented frameworks and measures on the ground," he noted.

He also emphasized that the workshop serves as a key platform for exchanging knowledge and expertise, drawing upon international practices, and discussing practical challenges.

"This contributes to unifying understanding, cementing coordination among relevant entities in the GCC states, and elevating their readiness to address the requirements of the upcoming phase efficiently and effectively," Albudaiwi said.

The secretary-general pointed out that the success of the GCC states in mitigating the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing and fulfilling their international obligations necessitates ongoing joint Gulf action, role integration among relevant stakeholders, and the utilization of international expertise, thereby enhancing the resilience of GCC economies and safeguarding the integrity of their financial systems.

He further expressed hope that the discussions and exchange of expertise during the workshop would yield practical outcomes that support existing efforts and advance Gulf coordination and integration in this vital domain.

Gulf

Nine Riyadh-Paris Visits Chart Path from Coordination to Strategic Partnership

Mohammed bin Salman and Macron during the French president’s visit to Riyadh in December 2024 (AP) 
Mohammed bin Salman and Macron during the French president’s visit to Riyadh in December 2024 (AP) 
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Nine Riyadh-Paris Visits Chart Path from Coordination to Strategic Partnership

Mohammed bin Salman and Macron during the French president’s visit to Riyadh in December 2024 (AP) 
Mohammed bin Salman and Macron during the French president’s visit to Riyadh in December 2024 (AP) 

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman’s current state visit to France marks the ninth official visit exchanged between the Saudi and French leaders since 2015, according to an Asharq Al-Awsat review of official sources.

The crown prince has traveled to France six times on official visits since 2015, including the current trip, while French President Emmanuel Macron has made three official visits to Saudi Arabia since taking office in 2017.

2015: First Visit

Mohammed bin Salman made his first official trip to France in June 2015, meeting then-President François Hollande at the Élysée Palace.

He also led the Saudi delegation at the inaugural meeting of the Saudi-French Permanent Coordinating Committee. The trip saw the signing of 10 agreements worth a total of $12 billion.

2016: Vision 2030 Joins the Agenda

Mohammed bin Salman returned to Paris in June 2016, meeting Hollande and other senior French officials.

Talks centered on developing bilateral ties and cooperation under Saudi Vision 2030, unveiled by the Kingdom two months earlier, as well as developments in the Middle East and efforts to bolster regional security and stability.

The trip broadened economic cooperation, placing Saudi Arabia’s transformation and diversification plans at the heart of discussions alongside political and defense coordination.

Several agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed, while the third Saudi-French Business Opportunities Forum brought together companies and business leaders to explore investment opportunities.

2017: Macron Makes First Saudi Trip

Macron traveled to Saudi Arabia on Nov. 9, 2017, months after taking office.

He met Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh for talks on regional stability, counterterrorism and peace efforts, according to the French presidency.

The French leader also condemned a Houthi ballistic missile attack targeting Riyadh and voiced his country’s solidarity with the Kingdom.

2018: Three Days in France, AlUla Agreement

In April 2018, Mohammed bin Salman traveled to France for the first time since becoming crown prince and for the third time since 2015.

During the three-day trip, he held wide-ranging discussions with Macron covering political, economic, defense and cultural ties, as well as regional issues.

The two countries signed an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation to develop AlUla, while Saudi and French companies concluded 19 agreements worth more than $18 billion.

2021: Macron in Jeddah

Macron returned to Saudi Arabia in December 2021 for talks with Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah.

Discussions focused on regional security and stability and ways to expand the bilateral partnership under Vision 2030, alongside Lebanon, Yemen, Iran and counterterrorism.

Riyadh and Paris also sought to broaden economic and investment cooperation, particularly in new technologies, future industries, renewable energy, culture and tourism.

2022: Energy and Global Crises

Mohammed bin Salman traveled to France again in July 2022, meeting Macron at the Élysée Palace as the Russia-Ukraine war weighed on global energy markets and food security.

Their discussions covered diversifying energy supplies to Europe and mitigating the impact of the food crisis, as well as developments in Lebanon and Yemen and Iran’s nuclear program.

Riyadh and Paris agreed to deepen cooperation in defense, energy, digital transformation, transport, sustainable cities and culture. France also renewed its support for Riyadh’s bid to host Expo 2030.

2023: A Broader Partnership

Mohammed bin Salman’s fifth official trip to France came in the summer of 2023, when he held bilateral and expanded talks with Macron at the Élysée Palace.

The leaders discussed bilateral ties and regional and international developments.

The crown prince also headed the Saudi delegation to the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact and attended an official reception promoting Riyadh’s Expo 2030 bid.

The trip reflected the widening scope of Saudi-French ties, extending beyond politics and defense to climate action, the global economy, investment and culture.

2024: Strategic Partnership

Macron traveled to Saudi Arabia for a third time from Dec. 2 to 4, 2024, on a state visit encompassing Riyadh and AlUla.

The trip saw the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two countries and the signing of a memorandum of understanding to create the Saudi-French Strategic Partnership Council, an umbrella framework for cooperation in politics, defense, the economy, culture, energy and technology.

Macron also attended an investment forum bringing together more than 200 Saudi and French companies and took part in the One Water Summit in Riyadh before traveling to AlUla in northern Saudi Arabia.

2026: Ninth Visit

Mohammed bin Salman’s current state visit to France is his sixth official trip to the country since 2015 and brings the total number of official visits exchanged between the two countries’ leaders to nine.

Macron has traveled to Saudi Arabia three times since becoming president in 2017.

 

 

Gulf

GCC, India Discuss Ministerial Meeting Set to be Held Next Month

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi
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GCC, India Discuss Ministerial Meeting Set to be Held Next Month

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi met in Riyadh on Sunday with Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Shri Vipul.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed a number of topics of common interest, most notably relations between the GCC and India, and ways to develop and enhance them in a manner that serves common interests.

They also discussed the latest developments regarding the launch of negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the GCC and India, signed in February 2026, in addition to preparations for the GCC-India ministerial meeting scheduled to be held next September.

The two officials also exchanged views on the latest developments in the region and the world, affirming the importance of continuing coordination and consultation on issues of common interest.