An appeals court in Saudi Arabia sentenced a mosque imam to five years in prison for fraud, harming judicial reputation, and breach of trust.

Moreover, the court in Tabuk, in the northwestern region of the kingdom, ordered the defendant to pay SR55,000 into the state treasury.

As an ex-employee of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, the defendant defrauded and duped a Saudi man by telling him that he had strong ties to a judge hearing a case related to an annulment of a marriage contract, and that he could resolve it for a fee.

Moreover, the defendant alleged that judges were bribed, according to the report.

After the Saudi man filed a legal complaint against the imam, who was caught stealing SR24,000, the case came to the attention of authorities.

In court, he admitted to his misconduct and was convicted of fraud and harming the reputation of the judiciary.

It was unclear when the case surfaced or when the verdict was reached. A relentless crackdown on corruption has led to the arrest of dozens of state employees and entrepreneurs in recent years.

Saudi Arabia announced last month that it would establish a prosecution branch to handle cases of financial fraud.

Attorney-General Saud Al Mojeb approved the establishment of the Prosecution for Financial Fraud Crimes, which will be responsible for judicial anti-fraud procedures including the interrogation of suspects and filing relevant lawsuits.

Saudi law punishes fraud with up to seven years in prison and a maximum fine of SR5 million.