Saudi anti-corruption specialist units created
King Salman of Saudi Arabia has ordered anti-corruption units to be established in the public prosecutor’s office, the government said yesterday, several weeks after a sweeping anti-graft purge of the kingdom’s elite.
The cases are expected to be referred directly to Attorney General Sheikh Saud Al Mojeb.
Before the king’s approval, cases of corruption were dealt with by the Public Employment Crimes Department.
According to the attorney general, the establishment of these departments was prompted by King Salman’s wish to combat corruption and protect the country and its public.
Sheikh Saud said that King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have expressed their determination to fight corruption in a transparent way.
The announcement follows last year’s formation of a “supreme committee” by King Salman to investigate corruption.
The committee, led by Prince Mohammed, was tasked with identifying “offences, crimes, persons and entities involved in cases of public corruption”.
The establishment of the committee led to a sweeping crackdown.
A total of 208 high-ranking royals, former ministers and businessmen were detained and accused of corruption.
Along with allegations of bribery and extortion, the accusations against the senior figures include money laundering and taking advantage of their high-ranking positions for personal gain.
All have been released from being held in the Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh after paying settlements totalling $107 billion (Dh392.95bn).
Authorities said the anti-corruption campaign was aimed at improving Saudi Arabia’s business environment and that the sums recovered would be used to fund an assistance programme for middle-and lower-income citizens.