Corruption probe on Saudi royals had been underway for 3 years, says official

The corruption investigations against selected royals and officials in Saudi Arabia had been underway for three years, Khalid Al-Mehaisen, president of the National Anti-Corruption Commission said in a statement Monday.

Al-Mehaisen said the committee was granted powers to inspect bank accounts of all suspects, freeze their assets and funds if needed, and take the necessary appropriate measures to ensure the rule of law.

“As a result of those efforts, the anti-corruption committee will continue to investigate corruption cases, identify the culprits, issue arrest warrants and travel restrictions and bring offenders to justice,” he added.

In a separate statement, the Kingdom’s Attorney General Sheikh Saud Al Mojeb and member of the supreme anti-corruption committee said the country already has anti-corruption laws in place, under which the subjects are being investigated.

“Yesterday does not represent the start, but the completion of Phase One of our anti-corruption push. The anti-corruption laws are already in place, and the announcement that individuals had been taken into custody for questioning today reflects the result of an initial taskforce enquiry into corruption,” he added.

Evidence has already been gathered and suspects are currently under detailed questioning, he added.

Al Mojeb said that suspects will have full access to legal resources, and that trials will be held in a timely and open manner.