• A businessman was accused of bribing public employees and forging documents

SPA, Riyadh

The Saudi public prosecution office gave 18 people prison sentences totaling 55 years, and fines totaling more than SR4 million ($1.06 million), for corruption.

The defendants included officials, employees and corporate entities. One official was accused of receiving bribes from businessmen, breaching his duties, violating professional integrity, and exploiting his influence to allow corruption and forgery.

He was sentenced to 16 years in prison and financial penalties. Employees working for him also exploited their positions for personal favors, and were sentenced to imprisonment, fines and confiscation of money.

A businessman was accused of bribing public employees and forging documents. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison and financial penalties.

The pubic prosecution office gave employees working for him who were involved in these acts jail sentences and fines.

The office also fined corporate entities and deprived them of their right to contract with public authorities for a limited period. It said eradicating corruption is a national priority.