Nazaha arrests 140 citizens and expats over charges of corruption
Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — The Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) has arrested 140 Saudi citizens and expatriates over corruption charges during the month of April 2025. Some of the arrested persons were released on bail.
Officials from the authority carried out as many as 2807 inspection visits during April, and conducted investigations into charges against 385 suspects. They include employees from the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, and the King Fahd Causeway Authority. The investigations led to the arrest of 140 persons for their suspected involvement in charges such as bribery and abuse of power.
The Nazaha confirmed that legal procedures are underway against the detainees, before referring them to the judiciary. The authority called on the public to report any suspicious activity related to financial or administrative corruption by calling the toll-free number 980 or via Nazaha's website dedicated to receiving reports.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Saudi Gazette
14 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia drives 205,000 unauthorized pilgrims out of Makkah and busts 415 fake Hajj offices
Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — Director of Saudi Public Security and Chairman of the Hajj Security Committee Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami revealed that Public Security teams have driven out more than 205,000 people without Hajj permits from Makkah. Addressing a joint press conference of the Hajj security commanders in Makkah on Sunday, he said that the security forces have turned back more than 269,000 people without Hajj permits from entering Makkah. "The Public Security officials have arrested 1,239 people who attempted to transport illegal pilgrims, and imposed penalties on more than 75,000 violators of Hajj regulations. The security teams also busted more than 415 fake Hajj offices," he said while revealing the adoption of punitive measures to deal with violators during the Hajj season. During the press conference, the Hajj security commanders reviewed the security and organizational plans for this year's Hajj season, Al-Bassami said that Saudi Public Security was able to employ artificial intelligence to boost its security plans to crack down on violators of Hajj regulations. He stressed that security personnel will be on the lookout for anyone who violates the Hajj regulations. Al-Bassami said that Public Security has turned back 110,000 vehicles at the entry points to Makkah for transporting unauthorized pilgrims. It also impounded more than 5,000 vehicles that were planning to transport pilgrims without permits. Saudi Public Security has activated permanent security checkpoints at the entrances to Makkah to apprehend violators. Director General of Passports Maj. Gen. Saleh Al-Murabba revealed that the number of pilgrims arriving from abroad has exceeded 1.47 million. The number of countries benefiting from the Makkah Route Initiative has increased to eight countries with 12 embarkation points. Al-Murabba said that the Passports Department has worked to facilitate procedures for pilgrims in the countries benefiting from the Makkah Route Initiative, indicating that they have equipped ports with the latest technology and provided multilingual staff to serve pilgrims. "We have field teams equipped with mobile bags that provide services at all locations and help identify unidentified persons," he said. Al-Murabba urged the pilgrims to depart quickly after the Hajj season ends to avoid exposing themselves to legal accountability. He revealed that the General Directorate of Passports has made the preparations to ensure the departure of the pilgrims after performing the rituals of Hajj. The Ministry of Interior affirmed its ability to deal firmly and effectively with anything that might undermine Hajj security. The State Security Presidency revealed the availability of robust security plans to manage crowds at the Jamarat facility during Hajj. "Pilgrims are in our eyes, and violators are in our grasp," the ministry said adding that it is providing protection to maintain order at vital Hajj sites. The ministry stated that Special Emergency Forces will carry out field missions to ensure the safety of pilgrims and prevent infiltrators and violators from accessing the holy sites without permission. On Saturday, Interior Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud reviewed the readiness of Hajj security forces to carry out their field missions to maintain the security and safety of pilgrims at the annual ceremony organized by the security forces participating in this year's Hajj. "Under the guidance of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, I witnessed today the preparations of the Hajj Security Forces. I am proud of the complete readiness and advanced capabilities I saw, and I ask God to grant us all success in fulfilling our leadership's aspirations for a safe and successful Hajj on all levels," he said.
Saudi Gazette
16 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Penalties for 20 people for transporting unauthorized pilgrims
Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — The Ministry of Interior has taken punitive measures against 20 people, including 15 Saudis and five expatriates, for violating Hajj regulations. The Hajj Security Forces arrested them at the entry points to Makkah while transporting 94 individuals without Hajj permits. The ministry has initiated administrative decisions against all involved parties: the transporters, their accomplices, and the unauthorized pilgrims. These decisions include prison sentences, fines reaching up to SR100,000, and public defamation for transporters. Expatriate violators will face deportation and a 10-year ban from reentering Saudi Arabia after serving their sentences. Vehicles used in these violations will be confiscated. The ministry reiterated that anyone attempting to perform Hajj without a permit will face a fine of up to SR20,000. urged all citizens and residents to strictly adhere to Hajj regulations and instructions, while emphasizing that this compliance is crucial to ensuring the safety and security of all pilgrims as they perform their sacred rituals. It
Saudi Gazette
2 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
4 expats arrested for fraudulent ads for sacrificial bonds
Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — Security patrols in the Makkah region arrested four expatriates for committing fraud by publishing advertisements selling fake sacrificial bonds. They were referred to the Public Prosecution after taking the necessary legal measures. The Public Security has warned against responding to advertisements posted by unauthorized institutions, offices, and social-media networks about performing the Hajj on behalf of others, fake Hajj campaigns, securing and distributing sacrificial animals for pilgrims, selling Hajj bracelets, providing transportation, and other misleading advertisements intended to defraud pilgrims. It urged to report such advertisements by calling 911 in the regions of Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, and call 999 in the rest of the Saudi regions.
