The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz reviewed the report on the findings of a crackdown on corruption ordered and overseen by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
King Salman signed to wind down the campaign’s works after Saudi investigators successfully having recovered assets worth more than $106 billion in an anti-corruption sweep.
According to a statement issued by the Royal Court, the government had summoned 381 people, some as witnesses, under the campaign launched in November 2017. All witnesses and defendants were handled by Public Prosecution. While some were cleared from corruption charges and were released, 87 suspects confessed to charges against them and reached settlements that included the forfeiture of real estate, companies, cash and other assets.
The public prosecutor refused to settle the cases of 56 people because of existing criminal charges against them. Eight people refused to reach a settlement, and have been referred to public prosecution for further action under the law.
Everyone who was detained but not indicted on charges related to corruption has been released, the court stressed.
The anti-corruption committee set up by the crown prince submitted its report to King Salman on Wednesday. It said it had now completed its work, and asked for the king’s permission to cease operations.
The king agreed and thanked the committee and the crown prince for their efforts.
King Salman pledged that the Kingdom would “continue its efforts to preserve integrity, combat corruption, and empower law enforcement and other relevant state bodies so that they are able to effectively practice their role in preserving public funds.”
