Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — A total of 30 government employees have been arrested for facilitating unauthorized pilgrims to perform Hajj. The arrests were made in one of the corruption cases initiated by the Saudi Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha). The spokesperson of Nazaha stated that the authority has initiated a number of criminal cases over the past period, and legal procedures are underway against the perpetrators.

The authority, in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, arrested 30 government employees for facilitating Saudi citizens and residents to perform Hajj without a permit by allowing them to pass through the security checkpoints. Those arrested include 26 employees from the Ministry of Interior, two employees from the Ministry of Defense, and one employee each from the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call, and Guidance and Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority.

A former university employee was arrested for embezzling SR100,800 from the university's account during his tenure. In another case, a non-commissioned officer working for the General Directorate of Passports in a governorate was arrested for illegally receiving sums of money in exchange for extending temporary work visas.

A mayoralty employee from a governorate was arrested for receiving sums of money from a businessman, a citizen, and two residents in exchange for canceling violations issued by a branch municipality affiliated with the mayoralty against commercial entities for violating municipal regulations.

An expatriate was arrested for offering a sum of money to a Nazaha employee at an airport in exchange for illegally removing a seized shipment of tobacco.

A non-commissioned officer working for the General Directorate of Civil Defense was arrested while receiving a sum of money from a store employee in exchange for overlooking some violations and renewing his Civil Defense license.

An employee working for a municipality in a governorate was arrested while receiving a sum of SR17,000 in exchange for enabling a citizen to complete construction of a property without a title deed and promising to provide him with electricity connection.

An employee and a court clerk working at a criminal court in a region were arrested for illegally receiving sums of money from clients in exchange for following up on their pending cases before the same court and providing them with information.

A non-commissioned officer working at a police station in one of the governorates was arrested for using a vehicle license plate impounded at his workplace on his personal vehicle and committing several traffic violations.

An employee working for the National Water Company in one of the governorates was arrested for receiving sums of money from a resident working for a waterproofing company in exchange for providing him with a list of phone numbers of National Water Company customers who had filed complaints about water leaks in their homes.

The Nazaha spokesperson confirmed that it continues to monitor and apprehend anyone who embezzles public funds or exploits their position for personal gain or to harm the public interest, and to hold them accountable even after the end of their service as an employee. The authority warned that it would continue enforcing the law against violators without any leniency.