Arrest and Sentencing of Unauthorized Engineering Practitioner

An engineering practitioner was apprehended in Riyadh by the Saudi Council of Engineers (SEC) for operating without a valid professional certification and fraudulently claiming a title reserved for accredited professionals. The Council's inspection teams discovered the violation during a routine tour in Riyadh.

Legal Actions and Court Ruling

The Council completed legal procedures against the practitioner and the engineering company employing him. The practitioner was sentenced to six months in prison and fined 50,000 riyals. Additionally, the engineering company was fined 100,000 riyals for violating Article 11 of the Engineering Professions Practice System.

Ongoing Enforcement and Future Actions

The Saudi Council of Engineers has also referred 30 cases to the Public Prosecution for further investigation. Inspection tours have uncovered violations involving unlicensed engineering work and improper professional accreditation.

Seizures and Violations in the Engineering Sector

Over the past few months, the Council has seized 14 organizations offering various engineering services and 8 engineering firms for infractions including the employment of unlicensed practitioners and misleading advertising.

Importance of Professional Certification

Under Royal Decree No. M/36, the Secretary-General emphasized the necessity of professional certification for engineers in the Kingdom and prohibited the use of professional degree titles by unaccredited individuals.