Saudi Arabia to Establish Financial Corruption Investigation and Prosecution Unit

The Saudi government's information office announced that King Salman has ordered the establishment of specialized sections within the Public Prosecution to investigate and address financial corruption cases. Sheikh Saud Al-Mujib, the Attorney General of Saudi Arabia, stated that this move aims to enhance efficiency and expedite the fight against financial corruption. King Salman's decision was reported by the Saudi state news agency on Sunday, March 10, and it emphasizes his concerns regarding financial corruption in all its forms, aiming to protect the homeland and its resources, safeguard public wealth, and maintain the integrity of public employment. Last November, Saudi officials detained hundreds of businessmen and royal family members, interrogating them for months at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh regarding financial corruption cases. Most detainees were released after settling with the government and paying fines, which the Saudi government claims generated over $160 billion in revenue for Riyadh. Among those released were Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, a billionaire businessman and one of the wealthiest individuals in the world, and Waleed Al-Ibrahim, owner of the MBC television network, which includes the pan-Arab channel Al-Arabiya. However, dozens of others remain imprisoned and may face trial. Officials have not disclosed the names of those still detained, the charges against them, or how their trials will be conducted. Critics argue that these arrests were primarily aimed at consolidating the power of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. In related news, Trump welcomed the actions of the King and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia in their 'fight against corruption', while Human Rights Watch criticized the mass arrests related to the anti-corruption campaign in Saudi Arabia.