Nazaha continues to clamp down on corruption, initiates criminal cases

Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority headquarters

Saudi Arabia's Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) launched investigations in several criminal cases and the related procedures are being completed.

In one of the cases, and in cooperation with the Presidency of State Security and the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), a bank employee was arrested for receiving gifts and travel and accommodation expenses from a citizen and resident, who were also arrested, in exchange for depositing cash of unknown source amounting to SAR 7 million in bank accounts belonging to a commercial entity. Investigations also indicated that the total amount deposited in the accounts of the commercial entity amounted to SAR 136 million transferred out of the Kingdom within five months.

In another case, a resident working in an engineering consulting office was arrested for receiving SAR 400,000 as the first payment of an agreed amount of SAR 2.8 million in exchange for illegally finalizing the procedures of issuing a building permit for an industrial workshop complex. The investigation revealed the involvement of a municipality employee who was arrested for being caught in the act of receiving SAR 1 million as well as arresting another resident involved in the process.

Moreover, a resident working as an engineer in a telecommunications company and two residents (mediators) were arrested when receiving SAR 225,000 out of the agreed amount of SAR 450,000, in exchange for extending the contract to implement networks of the company with a commercial entity.

Another 14 cases were initiated against many residents and Saudi employees for bribery and corruption practices.

Nazaha affirmed on the continuation to pursue anyone who exploits the public office to achieve personal gain or harm the public interest in any way.

The accountability extends far beyond the retirement of individuals, as these types of crimes have no statute of limitations, the authority stated.