A Saudi court has sentenced Lieutenant General Khalid bin Qarar al-Harbi, the former Director of Public Security, to 20 years in prison for corruption charges. Al-Harbi, who was dismissed from his position in 2021, was convicted of bribery, forgery, and abusing his authority for personal gain, according to local media reports.
The court’s final ruling includes a 10-year prison term and a fine of one million Saudi riyals (Rs 75 million). Additionally, al-Harbi has been ordered to return over 13 million Saudi riyals (Rs 34 million) in misappropriated funds. These include two agricultural plots and various gifts he received as bribes.
Al-Harbi’s tenure as Director of Public Security began in December 2018, following a two-year stint as Director of the Special Emergency Forces. Initially sentenced to 25 years in 2022, the final verdict reduced his term to 20 years.
This case is a significant part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman since 2017. The campaign has focused on high-profile individuals, including members of the royal family, business leaders, and government officials, in an effort to promote transparency and eliminate corruption.
Saudi Arabia, ranked 52nd on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, has ramped up its anti-corruption efforts through public awareness campaigns and the establishment of a toll-free number for citizens to report suspicious activities.
In May 2024, Saudi authorities arrested 112 individuals and launched investigations into 446 others as part of a widespread anti-corruption crackdown. The Kingdom’s Commission of Integrity continues to lead these efforts, regularly announcing arrests and investigations across various government sectors.
