Latest news with #OversightandAnti-CorruptionAuthority
Gulf Insider
42 minutes ago
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Announces New Corruption Crackdown With Arrests Across Public And Private Sectors
Saudi Arabia's Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) has announced on Monday a new wave of criminal cases as part of its ongoing campaign to root out corruption and strengthen integrity across the Kingdom. The latest round of investigations has resulted in multiple high-profile arrests spanning customs, municipal affairs, the judiciary, education, healthcare, and security sectors. In a statement issued through official channels, Nazaha reaffirmed its firm commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance. Among the most notable cases, two customs employees and a broker were arrested after allegedly accepting SR400,000 in bribes to unlawfully expedite the import process for trucks. Meanwhile, in a separate case, a police officer and a municipal employee were detained for receiving SR110,000 from business owners in exchange for facilitating the illegal extraction and sale of metals from government buildings, a scheme that reportedly generated over SR4.6 million in profit. Judicial integrity also came under scrutiny, with a court clerk arrested after taking SR32,500, part of a promised SR65,000, to influence the outcome of a criminal case and secure an acquittal. In the education sector, a resident was taken into custody for receiving over SR230,000 to manipulate the awarding of subcontract work on Ministry of Education projects. Municipal corruption featured prominently in the new cases. One department head was found to have SR7.1 million in personal accounts linked to the illegal cancellation of commercial fines. At the King Fahd Causeway, an employee was caught pocketing over SR55,000 in crossing fees, while also using his personal permit to allow unauthorized vehicle passage. In a particularly serious case, a Ministry of Interior security officer and an accomplice were arrested for kidnapping a company collector and stealing SR707,000. Other violations included municipal employees accepting bribes to overlook regulatory breaches, shop violations, and illegal construction activity. The healthcare sector was not spared. Senior procurement officials in regional health clusters were arrested for soliciting bribes in exchange for awarding contracts. One official was also accused of offering SR100,000 to a colleague to manipulate contract outcomes. Additionally, a doctor at a government hospital was arrested for issuing fraudulent medical leave documents in exchange for payment. Nazaha emphasized that all individuals involved in these cases will be held fully accountable, regardless of rank, affiliation, or retirement status. The Authority reiterated that corruption-related crimes are not subject to a statute of limitations, affirming its unwavering dedication to enforcing the law and preserving the public interest.
Saudi Gazette
4 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia announces new corruption crackdown with arrests across public and private sectors
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) has announced on Monday a new wave of criminal cases as part of its ongoing campaign to root out corruption and strengthen integrity across the Kingdom. The latest round of investigations has resulted in multiple high-profile arrests spanning customs, municipal affairs, the judiciary, education, healthcare, and security sectors. In a statement issued through official channels, Nazaha reaffirmed its firm commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance. Among the most notable cases, two customs employees and a broker were arrested after allegedly accepting SR400,000 in bribes to unlawfully expedite the import process for trucks. Meanwhile, in a separate case, a police officer and a municipal employee were detained for receiving SR110,000 from business owners in exchange for facilitating the illegal extraction and sale of metals from government buildings, a scheme that reportedly generated over SR4.6 million in profit. Judicial integrity also came under scrutiny, with a court clerk arrested after taking SR32,500, part of a promised SR65,000, to influence the outcome of a criminal case and secure an acquittal. In the education sector, a resident was taken into custody for receiving over SR230,000 to manipulate the awarding of subcontract work on Ministry of Education projects. Municipal corruption featured prominently in the new cases. One department head was found to have SR7.1 million in personal accounts linked to the illegal cancellation of commercial fines. At the King Fahd Causeway, an employee was caught pocketing over SR55,000 in crossing fees, while also using his personal permit to allow unauthorized vehicle passage. In a particularly serious case, a Ministry of Interior security officer and an accomplice were arrested for kidnapping a company collector and stealing SR707,000. Other violations included municipal employees accepting bribes to overlook regulatory breaches, shop violations, and illegal construction activity. The healthcare sector was not spared. Senior procurement officials in regional health clusters were arrested for soliciting bribes in exchange for awarding contracts. One official was also accused of offering SR100,000 to a colleague to manipulate contract outcomes. Additionally, a doctor at a government hospital was arrested for issuing fraudulent medical leave documents in exchange for payment. Nazaha emphasized that all individuals involved in these cases will be held fully accountable, regardless of rank, affiliation, or retirement status. The Authority reiterated that corruption-related crimes are not subject to a statute of limitations, affirming its unwavering dedication to enforcing the law and preserving the public interest.
Gulf Insider
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
120 Saudi Government Staff Detained For Suspected Bribery, Job Exploitation
Saudi Arabia's state anti-corruption watchdog has interrogated 435 suspects this month and arrested 120 of them on suspicions of graft amid a relentless clampdown on white-collar corruption in the kingdom. The detainees are employees at the ministries of interior, defence, municipalities and housing, human resources, transport, and health, as well as the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority, the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority said. They were investigated on charges of bribery and job exploitation. The watchdog, known as Nazha (Integrity) has reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring, exposing, and prosecuting anyone involved in abusing public office, vowing to protect public funds and reinforce transparency in both public and private sectors. In recent years, hundreds of state employees and businesspeople in Saudi Arabia have been interrogated for suspected corruption and mismanagement of public money. In January, local media reported that Saudi authorities had arrested 1,708 people in 2024, including government staff, over suspicions of corruption, money laundering, and influence trading. These arrests followed 4,000 investigations and over 37,000 oversight rounds. During last year's Hajj season, Nazaha also carried out 9,600 inspections at Mecca's holy sites and affiliated agencies, resulting in 155 arrests linked to corruption.
Gulf Insider
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
140 Saudi Officials Held in Nazaha Graft Crackdown
Saudi Arabia's state anti-corruption watchdog has arrested 140 government employees suspected of graft, as part of its ongoing crackdown on white-collar corruption The Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, known as Nazaha ('Integrity'), said the suspects include staff from the ministries of Interior, Defence, Justice, Education, Municipalities and Housing and Environment, Water and Agriculture, as well as the King Fahd Causeway Authority. They are accused of accepting bribes and exploiting their positions for personal gain. According to Nazaha, the arrests followed 2,807 oversight tours and 385 interrogation sessions conducted last month. In March, the authority had announced the detention of 82 other government employees across various ministries, also on charges of bribery and influence peddling. Nazaha reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring, exposing, and prosecuting anyone involved in abusing public office, vowing to protect public funds and reinforce transparency in both public and private sectors. In recent years, hundreds of state employees and businesspeople in Saudi Arabia have been detained for corruption and mismanagement of public money. In January, local media reported that Saudi authorities arrested 1,708 people in 2024, including government staff, over allegations of corruption, money laundering, and influence trading. These arrests followed 4,000 investigations and over 37,000 oversight rounds. During last year's Hajj season, Nazaha also carried out 9,600 inspections at Mecca's holy sites and affiliated agencies, resulting in 155 arrests linked to corruption. Also read:
Arab News
04-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
First Saudi-Maldives forum to tackle transparency, governance in tourism
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia — in partnership with the Maldives — is organizing the tourism sector's inaugural Saudi-Maldives International Forum on Integrity, which is set to take place in the Maldives from May 6 to 7. The forum is jointly organized by Saudi Arabia's Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, and the Maldives' Anti-Corruption Commission, in cooperation with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. It will cover key topics such as enhancing transparency and governance in the tourism sector, combating corruption, and boosting international partnerships and expertise exchange among member states and regional and international organizations. The discussions aim to support sustainable development and promote a trustworthy and safe tourism environment, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The forum is expected to attract international participation from more than 40 countries and 10 regional and international organizations. Attendees will include ministers, heads, and representatives of anti-corruption bodies from OIC member states, as well as key international organizations like the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Interpol, the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities, and the UN Development Programme. Local and international experts will also take part. Organizing the forum reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment to global efforts promoting transparency and accountability in tourism, according to the SPA. The event highlights Saudi Arabia's recognition of tourism as a key driver of sustainable development, in line with Vision 2030. It aims to build a thriving tourism sector, diversify national income sources, and stimulate economic growth.
