The Ministry of Interior has recently published the final court verdict in the corruption case against Lieutenant General Khalid bin Qarar Al-Harbi, a former Director of Public Security in Saudi Arabia. This case came to light after the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) launched an investigation into Al-Harbi and subsequently referred him to the competent court. The final ruling convicted Al-Harbi of multiple crimes, including abuse of power, bribery, forgery, and other related offenses. As a result, he has been sentenced to ten years in prison and fined SR1,000,000, which will be deposited into the state treasury.
This verdict is a result of Royal Decree No. A/60 dated 30/1/1443H, which led to Al-Harbi’s dismissal from service and subsequent investigation for various violations, such as embezzlement, forgery, bribery, and abuse of power for personal gain. In addition to the initial sentence, Al-Harbi was also found guilty of abusing his position for personal gain, exploiting government contracts, and embezzling public funds, leading to another ten-year prison sentence. The court has also ordered the seizure of bribe payments totaling SR10,084,303 and embezzled public funds amounting to SR2,827,000, both of which will be returned to the state treasury.
Moreover, Al-Harbi was found to have misused his official position and exploited government contracts, as well as accepting bribes for the benefit of his relatives. As part of the court ruling, he is required to return gifts and financial assistance valued at SR175,000 given to his relatives as bribes. Additionally, two agricultural lands acquired through illegal activities and an additional SR584,000 will be confiscated and deposited into the state treasury. The Ministry of Interior emphasized the Saudi government’s commitment to safeguarding public funds and combating corruption.
In conclusion, the case against Lieutenant General Khalid bin Qarar Al-Harbi underscores the Saudi government’s zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and abuse of power. The final court verdict serves as a warning to all individuals holding positions of authority that misconduct and corruption will not be tolerated. The conviction of Al-Harbi for bribery, forgery, embezzlement, abuse of power, and other crimes sends a strong message that those who engage in such activities will face serious consequences. The seizure of illegal gains and the return of misappropriated funds to the state treasury demonstrate the commitment to holding individuals accountable for their actions. The Ministry of Interior’s publication of the court verdict highlights the transparency and accountability in dealing with corruption cases, reinforcing the government’s determination to uphold integrity and ethics in public service.
