In a sweeping March operation, Saudi Arabia’s Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, known as Nazaha, has arrested 82 government employees on a range of corruption charges. The arrests come after the agency launched an extensive series of 1,453 inspection tours across government departments and private entities.
Nazaha’s crackdown didn’t pull any punches. The agency opened investigations into 313 individuals connected to various ministries—including Interior, Defense, Health, Human Resources, Municipalities and Housing, and the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority. The charges span bribery, embezzlement, and abuse of power.
These aren’t isolated incidents. According to Nazaha, several criminal and administrative cases have been launched, resulting in the detainment of dozens who allegedly traded public trust for personal gain.
The authority made it clear that its pursuit of corruption doesn’t come with an expiration date. Former officials aren’t exempt either—anyone caught exploiting their position, even post-tenure, will face the consequences.
Nazaha reaffirmed its mission to keep government institutions under sharp scrutiny, promising continued surprise inspections and a relentless pursuit of those who see public office as a shortcut to private profit.
