208 detained in anti-corruption campaign
Evidence of wrondoing is abundant and confirms suspiciouns that led to arrest—SPA statement
Based on probe over three years, it is estimated that at least $100 billion has been embezzled over decades |
Atotal of 208 individuals have been detained by Saudi authorities as a part of their anti-corruption drive in the country, the Saudi Press Agency has reported. Of the 208, seven have been released without charge. “The potential scale of corrupt practices which have been uncovered is very large. Based on our investigations over the past three years, we estimate that at least $100 billion has been misused through systematic corruption and embezzlement over several decades,” the SPA statement read.
“The evidence for this wrongdoing is very strong, and confirms the original suspicions which led authorities to begin the investigation into these suspects in the first place.” “There has been a great deal of speculation around the world regarding the identities of the individuals concerned. In order to ensure that the individuals continue to enjoy the full legal rights afforded to them under Saudi law, we will not be revealing any more personal details at this time.”
“We ask that their privacy is respected while they continue to be subject to our judicial process,” it added.
Meanwhile, King Salman issued a royal order that promoted 26 judges and appointed 30 others at different levels of the judiciary, SPA said.
Saudi authorities have arrested dozens of royal family members, officials and businessmen in the anti-graft drive that began on Saturday. They face allegations of money laundering, bribery, extortion and exploiting public office for personal gain.
US President Donald Trump has endorsed the crackdown, saying some of those arrested have been “milking” Saudi Arabia for years.
Admirers see it as an assault on the endemic theft of public funds in the country.
“Corruption should have been fought a long time ago, because it’s corruption that delays society’s development,” Riyadh resident Hussain Al Dosari told Reuters.
Saudi banks have frozen more than 1,200 accounts belonging to individuals and companies in the kingdom and the number keeps rising, bankers and lawyers said.
The authorities sought to reassure the business community late on Tuesday, saying although accounts have been suspended there are no plans to suspend the operations of their companies.