The northern Saudi city of Hail has come to be identified with corruption and scandal of late. It’s interesting that the situation is being reported upon in the Saudi media (here, Saudi Gazette). More interesting is that the police appear to be taking the matter seriously. We will have to wait to see what action the Governor of the province takes. I suspect quick action as the situation certainly doesn’t help his reputation.

Forgery, bribery, swindling rife in Hail
Mit’eb Al-Awwad

HAIL – A report from the Control and Investigation Board (CIB) in Hail has shown that in the course of a single year 400 cases have been registered of forgery, bribery, embezzlement and administrative malpractice.

A source from the CIB said the 20-page report, issued Monday, cited the largest act of embezzlement in a government body, recorded by a government office working in air transport worth SR70 million in air tickets sold at a Hail branch over a period of five years.

The source said the case had been referred to the Administrative Court. The CIB also conducted a two-year investigation into the embezzlement at Hail Health Affairs of SR700,000 in which seven employees were involved, according to the same source. The case is due to go before the Administrative Court next week.
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