Extensive Anti-Corruption Campaign in Saudi Arabia
Saudi authorities have arrested 1,708 individuals, including government employees, for alleged involvement in corruption, influence peddling, and money laundering in 2024. The arrests followed over 4,000 investigation sessions and 37,124 oversight rounds conducted by the Saudi Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, as reported by Akhbar24.
During the 2024 Hajj season in June, 155 people were arrested for suspected corruption after 9,600 inspection tours of holy sites and agencies serving pilgrims.
overnment Ministries and Sectors Under Scrutiny
Ministries Implicated in Corruption Cases
Those accused include employees from the Ministries of the Interior, National Guard, Defence, Justice, Education, Health, Municipalities and Housing, Human Resources, Trade, Transport, and Culture, as well as the General Authority for Statistics.
Charges: Bribery, Job Exploitation, Money Laundering, and Forgery
Charges against the accused range from bribery and job exploitation to money laundering and forgery, reflecting the wide scope of corruption tackled in this campaign.
Notable Corruption Cases in Recent Years
2017 Crackdown on Royals and Business Tycoons
In 2017, a major anti-corruption drive resulted in the detention of dozens of royals, state officials, and business magnates. They were briefly held at a luxury hotel in Riyadh pending investigations into graft allegations.
2023 Multi-Million-Riyal Graft Case Uncovered
In 2023, authorities exposed a multi-million-riyal corruption scheme involving diplomats, security personnel, and expatriates linked to illegal labor visa trading.
Saudi Arabia's Stance Against Corruption
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Zero-Tolerance Policy
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has pledged zero tolerance for corruption. “Anyone involved in a corruption case, whoever he may be, will not get away with it. He will not survive, whether he is a minister, a prince, or anyone with enough evidence against him,” he stated in 2017.
Ongoing Efforts and Public Engagement
The Saudi Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority continues its commitment to rooting out corruption through rigorous inspections and investigations. The public is encouraged to report any corrupt activities to support these efforts.
