Investigations spanning several Saudi government bodies have led to the detention of 160 people, both citizens and foreign residents, over allegations of bribery, misuse of official position and related graft, according to the kingdom’s Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, known as Nazaha.
Before making the arrests, the authority said it had brought in 480 people for questioning as part of its broader crackdown on graft.
The agency declined to name those taken into custody, noting only that the necessary legal steps were underway so the cases could be handed to the relevant courts.
According to Nazaha, the suspects are tied to matters touching the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority along with the ministries responsible for Municipalities and Housing, Education, Health, and Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance.
Cases of this kind surface regularly from the authority, which has reported detentions of both state employees and private individuals over charges ranging from forgery and embezzlement to trading on influence.
Such operations form part of a wider push the kingdom has mounted over recent years, with governance overhauls meant to lift transparency, shield public money and make state bodies run more efficiently.
Nazaha emphasized that no rank or standing would shield anyone from scrutiny, framing its work as a defence of public funds and a means of reinforcing honest conduct throughout government.
