Saudi authorities have arrested more than 207 employees of about 12 government ministries in a bid to purge and fight corruption.
The Saudi Anti-Corruption Commission announced that more than 460 people had been interrogated as a result of the purge plan; 207 Saudi nationals and residents were arrested on charges of corruption, abuse of power and fraud.
The defendants, who are affiliated with the National Guard and some ministries, including the Ministry of Defense, Interior, Health and Justice, will be referred to court, the center said.
The Saudi Anti-Corruption Commission later announced that some of the employees had been sentenced to between two and seven years in prison or fined after being charged with bribery and abuse of office.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched an anti-corruption plan in late 2017, which helped strengthen his power in the country and, following the purge, brought more than $ 100 billion under control.
In November 2017, dozens of princes and senior officials and businessmen were arrested at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh on the orders of Mohammed bin Salman, which Saudi officials said was a plan to fight corruption but was condemned by dissidents as provocative. Described deception to increase influence.
Many of those arrested in the process were released within months after deals that officials said returned more than $ 100 billion.
However, some legal and press reports indicate that some of them have been tortured, and this is an issue that the government has denied.
