Okaz/Saudi Gazette

RIYADH — Several government officials are among a total of 176 people who have been arrested for their alleged involvement in crimes, including financial corruption and abuse of power during a period of one month.

The Control and Anti-Corruption Commission (Nazaha) officials carried out a total of 971 inspection rounds during the month of Sha’ban (March 14 to April 12) that resulted in the investigation of charges against 700 suspects in criminal and administrative cases.

Of these citizens and expatriates, 176 have been arrested, and they included employees from the ministries of defense, interior, finance, health, justice, municipal and rural and housing affairs, education, transport, media, human resources and social development, and National Guard, as well as staffers of the General Authority for Customs, Saudi Red Crescent Authority, and the National Water Company.

The charges against the defendants include bribery, abuse of power, and forgery, and legal procedures are being completed prior to referring their cases to the judiciary.