Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH – An executive official in the Ministry of Defense has been arrested for suspicious financial dealings with one of the commercial companies in the Kingdom, Attorney General Sheikh Saud Al-Muajab stated to Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Tuesday night.

The Ministry of Defense (MoD) alerted pertinent security authorities of their suspicions of the official being involved in shady deals with a commercial firm and was abusing his position.

After competent authorities completed the investigations, the security agencies confirmed that the executive was trying to facilitate illegal procedures to pay the company. By doing this, the official was committing abuse of power.

The authorities then carried out a plan that resulted in the arrest of the executive. The official was caught red handed with SR1 million in cash.

The official, after being presented with evidence and questioned by pertinent authorities, admitted to the charges against him; i.e., receiving a bribe.

Two other people, who were also involved in the case, were also arrested.

As their deed is forbidden by the Shariah and is punishable by the law, their crime is more grave and serious. In addition, as they succumbed to their whims, greed and personal interests overriding national interests they are culpable for failing to follow the law by breaching trust.

Their actions were willful and selfish as they did not care about the possible harm to the public their actions would cause. Also their inconsiderate actions were a sure breach of trust, which was reposed in them by the organization, as well as the sure lack of military responsibility — a moral obligation to behave correctly — which they were entrusted with.

While announcing this, the Attorney General’s Office stressed that it was keen to take all measures to protect the nation’s capabilities and gains, pursue whoever is tempted to embezzle public funds, abuse their power, violate their integrity in a public post — especially those who are tempted to exploit their public post by letting their personal interests outweigh the religious, moral or national deterrent. Such people will be brought to justice.

In this connection, the Kingdom, under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman are determined to continue its war on corruption and safeguard the nation’s capabilities and gains.

Hence, specifically revealing this case that took place in the Ministry of Defense proves that nobody is above the law, as stated by the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince had said earlier that no one, whoever he might be, would be able to get away with corruption cases.

The anti-graft campaign starts from the highest levels to the lower levels. And in this case it becomes clear to all how the authorities are keeping track of every person who may be tempted to embezzle public funds or abuse his power.

The state authorities take credit for their high transparency in announcing this case even though it took place in a sovereign ministry. Among one of the numerous messages that these arrests seek to convey is — nobody is above the law.