Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Saudi Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) has arrested a total of 139 government officials over charges of corruption including bribery, abuse of power, and money laundering during the month of August.

The arrest follows 2,950t rounds of inspection tour of several government offices by the Nazaha officials. The inspections resulted in the initiation of criminal cases against 380 suspects from a number of government offices such as the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Municipality and Housing, and the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority.

The Nazaha said that it would continue to carry out its oversight rounds on government agencies and private establishments in order to monitor and catch anyone who encroaches on public funds or misuse his position to achieve any personal gains or doing any harm to the public interest and hold him or her accountable, even after the end of their relationship with the job.

The Nazaha follows up on the recovery of funds and proceeds resulting from corruption crimes with the competent authorities, in addition to reviewing the work methods and procedures in the entities covered by the authority’s jurisdiction with the aim of identifying weak points that could lead to corruption, and addressing them in a way that ensures the accomplishment of the Nazaha's objectives.

Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, Nazaha, corruption, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Municipality and Housing, Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority