Saudi Gazette report

BAHA — In the biggest corruption case in the region, the Criminal Court in Baha has started the trial of 16 people accused of embezzling public funds, forgery, misuse of power and a host of other violations.

According to a report in local daily Al-Madina on Sunday, the prosecution has called for severe punishments including long-term imprisonment and heavy fines for the accused.

All the defendants worked for King Fahd Hospital in Baha. They included the hospital›s former director general, his assistant, executive officials and employees in human resources, finance and purchases.

The public prosecutor presented the court with incriminating evidence and said what the defendants had done were gross violations that should be punished by the law.

The evidence included contracting the hospital director as a visiting doctor with a monthly salary of SR50,000, in addition to his regular salary as the head of the hospital when he was enjoying a 90-day vacation.

The director was also accused of violating the government›s policy for purchases by awarding contracts without inviting tenders to companies and establishments owned by a number of his relatives.

The charges also included the purchase of a large quantity of growth hormones at SR530 per unit while its actual price was only SR130.

The prosecutor said the director general of a government hospital in Baljurashi was appointed a visiting dermatologist and was paid additional remuneration even though he retained his job as the head of another hospital.

The charges included tampering with the system of the annual leave, paying a number of employees more than their monthly salaries and buying large quantities of medicines that were not actually needed by the hospital.