The Saudi Arabian Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority arrested 65 citizens and residents, 48 of whom belong to government ministries. The authorities investigated 411 defendants before the arrests and according to the authority, also known as Nazaha, all legal procedures were referred to the judiciary. The accused government officials reportedly belong to ministries of rural affairs and housing, interior, justice, defence, education, environment, water and agriculture. They include those from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, State Security and General Authority of Meteorology and Environment Protection. They were accused of abusing power and influence, bribery and forgery. Nazaha reportedly carried out 460 inspection raids this month and arrested the officials after investigating 411 suspects. Nazaha hosted an online workshop, Preserving Public Funds, with the University of Hail, on Wednesday to increase awareness and educate people to achieve the goals of the National Strategy for Maintaining Integrity and Combating Corruption. They are in line with Vision 2030, which “follows a zero-tolerance policy against financial and administrative corruption”, Nazaha said. The commission called on the public to report any malpractices by using its toll-free <a href="http://www.nazaha.gov.sa">number, 980, or on its website</a>.
