Saudi Arabia’s Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) has arrested 17 government officials from various ministries and departments in a major operation against corruption. The arrests are part of the kingdom’s ongoing efforts to curb misuse of public office.
According to local media, the officials face serious allegations, including bribery, abuse of power, and embezzlement of public funds. The authority revealed that an official from the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources accepted a bribe of 1.6 million Saudi riyals to illegally issue a crusher license to a foreign investor’s company.
In another case, a Saudi citizen was arrested for receiving 85,000 riyals as part of a total 110,000 riyal bribe to cancel a demolition order on agricultural land without ownership documents. Two municipal employees in the same area were also detained on similar charges.
Additionally, a municipality employee was arrested for accepting 195,000 riyals in bribes to award an illegal contract to a private company. A Ministry of Defense officer was also taken into custody for allegedly receiving payments from women in exchange for promises of employment.
Nazaha further stated that an employee of the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority was arrested after multiple customs violations were uncovered at the airport.
The authority’s spokesperson affirmed that Nazaha remains committed to its mission to combat corruption and that anyone misusing their official position for personal gain will be held accountable, even if they are no longer in office.
