Nazaha arrests corruption suspects

Kingdom Center Tower in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 5, 2017. (Reuters)
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Updated 23 October 2022
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Nazaha arrests corruption suspects

  • In a statement, Nazaha said that a government company executive was arrested for abusing his power for personal gain
  • In cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, Nazaha also ordered the arrest of a brigadier for receiving SR450,000 from a company

JEDDAH: The Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, known as Nazaha, announced that it arrested a number of citizens and residents over corruption cases, adding that legal procedures against the suspects were underway.

In a statement, Nazaha said that a government company executive was arrested for abusing his power for personal gain. 

In cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, Nazaha also ordered the arrest of a brigadier for receiving SR450,000 ($120,000) from a company in exchange for facilitating its contracting procedures with the ministry. The owner and the CEO of the company, Arab nationals, were also arrested.

The brigadier, Nazaha added, had received SR12,000 from a resident on a promise to issue the permits necessary for the resident to perform Hajj.

The military man was also accused of granting fake approval to a hotel to host a special occasion and participating in the illegal transfer of land ownership in exchange for SR12.5 million. Two national mediators and two employees from the Ministry of Justice were also taken in.

Nazaha also arrested a former employee at the Department of Lands and Properties who acted as a municipal representative, forging and transferring the deeds of four residential properties to commercial plots with a market value of SR10 million.

In another case, Nazaha said that a municipal employee was arrested for requesting SR1.5 million from a woman in exchange for illegally completing the procedures for the expropriation of land, as well as requesting SR50,000 from a citizen for illegally issuing housing documents.

Among the other arrestees was a resident who was caught paying SR20,000, out of a promised SR180,000, in exchange for issuing 30 qualification certificates for operating heavy machinery involved in the oil and gas industry.

The anti-corruption authority also arrested a retired company employee for receiving SR180,000 from another company in exchange for renewing the company’s contract, disbursing its dues and ignoring violations in the contracts.

Nazaha also arrested an officer at the General Directorate of Civil Defense for giving misleading information about the SR160,000 he lent and providing fake back-payment receipts.

A resident was arrested for receiving a down payment of SR20,000, out of a promised SR100,000, in exchange for illegally completing a real estate financing transaction for a citizen.

Another case in the corruption raid involved three citizens who paid bribes of SR64,000 for illegally adding members to their family registry, claiming that they were their children.

In its statement, Nazaha added that two citizens, working for a municipality (in an unspecified region) along with two residents, who acted as mediators, were all arrested for receiving money, ranging between SR250 and SR10,000, in exchange for illegally finalizing licensing procedures for commercial shops.

Among the other cases Nazaha announced were the arrest of a municipality employee who demanded SR5,000 to deliver seized machinery equipment, a security guard who received SR5,000 from a resident in exchange for not deporting his son, and a police officer who issued an incorrect criminal record for his brother, who was also arrested.

The arrests also included an employee at an educational administration, whom Nazaha accuses of illegally employing his daughters-in-law. Two residents working in a contracting company with the Saudi Electricity Co. were also arrested for helping some subscribers to have their electrical meters give inaccurate power consumption readings.

At the end of its statement, Nazaha reaffirmed that it would continue to pursue anyone who exploits the public office to achieve personal gain or harm public interest in any way and that accountability extended far beyond the retirement of individuals.

The anti-corruption authority added that such crimes have no statute of limitations. “The authority will continue to apply the law, with zero tolerance against corruption,” Nazaha said in its statement. 


Saudi Arabia’s King Salman inaugurates Riyadh Metro project

Updated 20 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia’s King Salman inaugurates Riyadh Metro project

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman inaugurated the Riyadh Metro project on Wednesday.

 


Saudi teams shine at Formula 1 in Schools World Finals

Updated 30 min 31 sec ago
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Saudi teams shine at Formula 1 in Schools World Finals

  • Over 450 young innovators from around the globe join together for the event in Dhahran
  • Competitors worked in 55 teams to design, build and race miniature F1 cars on a 20-meter track

RIYADH: Three Saudi teams have scooped awards at the 2024 Aramco Formula 1 in Schools World Finals.

Over 450 students from gathered at Dhahran Expo from Nov. 23-26 for the competition, the first time it has been hosted in the Kingdom. The finalists emerged from an initial 29,000 schools worldwide.

The Clad team won the Enterprise Portfolio Award, while Oryx claimed Best Engineered Car and Shaheen took Best Application of Project Management.

Competitors worked in 55 teams to design, build and race miniature F1 cars on a 20-meter track. Those taking part were aged from nine to 19, one third of whom were female.

The competition reflects Aramco’s commitment to developing future leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, otherwise known as Ithra, oversaw the Saudi teams’ preparation during a nine-month training period. Led by 37 experts from six specialized centers, the program focused on engineering, design and teamwork.

It has become a key platform for developing Saudi Arabia’s next generation of scientific talent and putting innovation firmly on the global stage.

At the 2023 World Finals in Singapore, Saudi teams won the Innovative Thinking, Women in Motorsport and Identity awards.

The Aramco Formula 1 in Schools World Finals offer young innovators an opportunity to shape Saudi Arabia's future creative industries.

The program follows a unified curriculum covering physics, aerodynamics, design, manufacturing, branding, graphic design, sponsorship, marketing, leadership, teamwork, media skills and financial strategies.


Grand mufti of Saudi Arabia meets Pakistan’s Senate chair

Updated 17 min 45 sec ago
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Grand mufti of Saudi Arabia meets Pakistan’s Senate chair

  • Al-Sheikh highlights role of Council of Senior Scholars on Islamic issues
  • Council ‘keen to promote moderation and combat extremism in the region’

RIYADH: The Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia on Wednesday received the chairperson of Pakistan’s senate at the presidential headquarters in Riyadh.

Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh met Yusuf Raza Gilani, who was accompanied by a delegation of members of the upper house in the Pakistani parliament.

Al-Sheikh, who is also chairperson of the Council of Senior Scholars, and president general of scientific research and ifta, highlighted the depth and distinguished brotherly Islamic relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

He highlighted the significant role the Council of Senior Scholars performs in the Kingdom to explain Shariah rulings about issues that concern Muslims. It has issued more than 30,000 fatwas and 200 rulings.

The council is keen to promote moderation and combat extremism in the region, he added.

He said that King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman continue to serve the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah, ensuring that visitors and pilgrims receive appropriate services.

Gilani expressed his happiness to visit Saudi Arabia, noting the great role the Kingdom is playing through its leadership as well as the ties it has developed with Pakistan on various issues.

The meeting was attended by the secretary-general of the Council of Senior Scholars, Sheikh Fahd Al-Majed, and Shoura Council member Abdulrahman Al-Harbi.


New initiative to plant 60m seeds for sustainability

Updated 27 November 2024
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New initiative to plant 60m seeds for sustainability

  • NCVC CEO, Khaled Al-Abdulkader, outlined the initiative’s goal of dispersing 60 million seeds and cleaning floodplains throughout the governorate
  • Efforts are part of the broader National Greening Season, which aims to increase green spaces and address environmental challenges

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has launched the Grow Impact initiative in Hafar Al-Batin governorate to encourage community participation in preserving and expanding vegetation cover, while promoting sustainability and environmental awareness.

The center’s CEO, Khaled Al-Abdulkader, outlined the initiative’s goal of dispersing 60 million seeds and cleaning floodplains throughout the governorate.

These efforts are part of the broader National Greening Season, which aims to increase green spaces and address environmental challenges, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Al-Abdulkader described Grow Impact as a key step toward achieving sustainable development goals, restoring ecological balance, and enhancing biodiversity.

He said that the initiative also encourages environmental responsibility among individuals and communities.

The initiative aims to reduce waste in natural areas, protect plant and animal species from human activity, and combat desertification by inspiring communities to protect natural resources.

These goals align with Saudi Arabia’s vision for preserving the planet and its natural heritage, SPA reported.

The center continues its mission to develop and protect vegetation cover throughout the Kingdom, rehabilitating degraded areas, addressing violations, combating illegal logging, and overseeing rangelands, forests and national parks.


Thunderstorms forecast across Saudi Arabia until Sunday 

Updated 27 November 2024
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Thunderstorms forecast across Saudi Arabia until Sunday 

  • Makkah region is forecast light to moderate rain showers that could lead to flash floods
  • Asir and Jazan regions will also be affected by moderate to heavy showers

RIYADH: The General Directorate of Civil Defense has forecast thunderstorms in several regions across the Kingdom until Sunday.

Makkah region is forecast light to moderate rain showers that could lead to flash floods, hail and dust-stirring winds, reported the Saudi Press Agency, while moderate to heavy rain is expected in Riyadh region.

Asir and Jazan regions will also be affected by moderate to heavy showers, while the Qassim, Eastern and Baha regions will experience moderate rain. The regions of Madinah and Najran can expect light rain.

The directorate has urged people to exercise caution, avoid areas prone to flash flooding, and refrain from swimming in flooded areas.

Members of the public should follow media channels to keep themselves updated on the latest conditions.

Autumn in Saudi Arabia is typically rainy, with rapid weather changes providing relief from the heat, according to the National Center for Meteorology.