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Saudi anti-corruption body arrests 107 officials

By Andrew Hammond
Saudi anti-corruption agency Nazaha made 107 arrests during the Islamic month of Muharram Reuters/Mohamed Abd El Ghany
Saudi anti-corruption agency Nazaha made 107 arrests during the Islamic month of Muharram

Saudi Arabia’s anti-corruption agency arrested 107 government officials during the Islamic month of Muharram, a sharp jump from 65 during the previous month but down from this year’s high of 159 in February. 

The Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority announced the latest statistics on social media app X (formerly Twitter), where it said the detainees were among 260 cases subject to investigation. 

Those arrested, some of whom were released on bail, are accused of crimes including bribery, abuse of authority, money laundering and forgery.

They worked for a range of government agencies including the ministries of the interior, defence, justice, health, education, and the ministry of municipal, rural affairs and housing. 

The month of Muharram ran from July 19 to August 16. In June the authority said it had arrested 141 over a one-month period, in March it arrested 142, and in January 142. The highest this year was 159 announced on February 21.

Formed in 2011, the anti-corruption agency – known as Nazaha – has ramped up its operations since the government launched a major anti-graft campaign in 2017.

Measures include launching a smartphone app that allows members of the public to report incidents and suspicions.

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