Saudi Arabia creates anti-corruption circles

By Mohamed Fahd

RIYADH (AA) – Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz has issued a royal decree creating anti-corruption judicial circles, according to the country’s public prosecution.

In a Twitter post on Sunday, the prosecution said the new judicial circles will be responsible for investigating corruption allegations.

Local media quoted attorney-general Sheikh Saud al-Mojeb as saying the decision comes “as part of effort to combat all forms of corruption and maintain public money”.

Previously, the public prosecution was responsible for investigating allegations of corruption in the oil-rich kingdom.

In November, Saudi authorities arrested dozens of people, including 11 princes, ministers and businessmen, on corruption charges.

Most of the detainees were later released with Saudi authorities saying they netted over 400 billion riyals ($106.7 billion) in anti-corruption settlements.