Saudi Arabia’s Nazaha Arrests Corruption Suspects Linked to Hajj 2024
Saudi Arabia’s Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) has detained 155 individuals, including citizens and residents, following investigations into 382 suspects in various corruption cases, some linked to the Hajj season.
The Nazaha said in a statement on its X account on Monday that its officials carried out a total of 924 inspection raids during the last month of June.
The Nazaha initiated a number of criminal and administrative cases following the oversight rounds in June, which resulted in the investigation of cases against 382 officials accused of various corruption charges.
These officials are from the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Transport and Logistics, and Ministry of Culture, in addition to the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority.
Out of the 155 detained, some were released on bail. They face charges of bribery, abuse of power, forgery, and money laundering. Nazaha is finalizing legal procedures to refer these cases to court.
The authority urged the public to report any financial or administrative corruption through its official channels to protect public funds.
This year’s Hajj season saw a rise in fraudulent campaigns, with 160 compared to 83 last year. These fake campaigns led to the deaths of 1,079 unregistered pilgrims due to heat exhaustion while walking long distances without proper transportation and accommodations.
Authorities deported over 256,000 visitors with non-Hajj visas and sent back 250,400 non-residents from Makkah.
Despite continuous warnings from Saudi authorities about the importance of legal Hajj pilgrimages and adhering to medical advice to cope with high temperatures and heat stress, Health Minister Fahd Al-Jalajel said authorities managed a significant number of affected individuals, some of whom are still receiving care.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).