Senior Saudi security official sentenced to 20 years for corruption conviction

A Saudi court has sentenced the former director of Public Security to 20 years in prison after he was convicted in a corruption case that led to his dismissal from his position in 2021, according to state media on Friday.

The official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported, citing a statement from the ministry, that: “A final ruling was issued against Lieutenant General Khalid Bin Qarar Al-Harbi after proving his conviction of the crimes of bribery and forgery. He will be punished for his crimes with a ten-year sentence and a fine of one million Saudi riyals ($266,600).”

Al-Harbi was also convicted of: “Exploiting his position for personal gain, exploiting government contracts, and embezzling public funds, for which he will serve a ten-year prison sentence”, as well as returning amounts exceeding 13 million Saudi riyals ($3.46 million).

The statement added that the ruling includes forcing Al-Harbi to return two agricultural lands, gifts in kind, financial assistance given to his relatives as bribes and embezzled sums.

According to local media, Al-Harbi has been in charge of public security since December 2018. Before that, he served as the Special Emergency Forces director for two years.

READ: Saudi prison: 33 Egyptians face execution for drug charges

At the end of 2022, a preliminary ruling was issued against him, and he was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

The Saudi General Security Agency is affiliated with the Ministry of Interior and is tasked with maintaining order, combating terrorism, protecting holy sites and ensuring the safety of pilgrims.

The Kingdom, which ranks 52nd out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, has faced decades of illegal gains and the practice of “wasta”, or favouritism.

Since assuming office in 2017, Crown Prince and de facto ruler Prince Mohammed Bin Salman has launched a large anti-corruption campaign that included detaining dozens of princes, business people and politicians at the Ritz Carlton Hotel.

This was followed by another campaign involving the arrests of senior military officials and junior bureaucrats.

The authorities have allocated a toll-free number to report any suspicions of corruption, while signs are spread on the streets urging citizens to respond to the Commission of Integrity. The Commission regularly announces the arrests of officials in corruption cases in various government sectors.

READ: Saudi Arabia says Israel humanitarian aid blockade in Gaza amounts to ‘war crime’