Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — A total of 138 people — citizens and expatriates — have been arrested for their alleged involvement in corruption, Saudi Arabia’s anti-graft authority has said.

In a statement, the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) said that the accused included employees of the ministries of defense, interior, national guard, health, justice, municipal and rural affairs and housing, education, transport, media, sport and human resources and social development; and the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority.

The charges framed against them included bribery, abuse of power and forgery. They were arrested during as many as 1733 inspection raids carried out by the Nazaha teams during the month of Ramadan.

The arrest of the suspects was made after carrying out investigations into the alleged role of 588 people. Nazaha said that the legal procedures are being completed prior to referring them to courts.

The commission called on everyone to report, in the event of noticing any suspicious activities involving financial or administrative corruption, through contacting the toll free number 980 or website www.nazaha.gov.sa or email 980 @ nazaha.gov.sa or fax: 0114420057.