Saudi Arabia Suspends 126 Local Government Employees for Corruption Charges, According to Reuters

Saudi Arabia has announced the suspension of 126 local government employees from municipalities across the kingdom due to corruption allegations.

The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs stated that these individuals are accused of being involved in various cases related to financial and managerial corruption, abuse of power, and other legal and criminal infractions.

In November 2017, a significant anti-corruption crackdown was initiated under the directives of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, resulting in the detention of numerous individuals. Many were held and questioned in the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh. Most detainees, including prominent investor Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, were eventually released after being cleared of charges or settling financially with the government.

Last year, King Salman mandated the formation of specialized departments within the public prosecutor’s office to expedite investigations and prosecutions related to corruption. The public prosecutor indicated that this campaign would also address lower-level offenses.