RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, known as Nazaha, on Wednesday gave details of a number of criminal cases it is pursuing in which legal proceedings against the accused are underway.
In one of the cases, a notary was arrested for allegedly receiving SR4,461,500 ($1,189,331) in exchange for illegally transferring ownership of two sections of land as a “gift” to a businessman and the businessman’s sister without the knowledge of their father, who owns the land. The notary’s brother was also arrested.
In another, a retired brigadier general who served in the Border Guards is accused of receiving SR10 million to accept requests for compensation from 15 citizens, who have also been arrested, for large areas of land that were owned illegally.
An engineer working in a senior position in a municipality was arrested over claims that he received SR350,000 from a businessman in exchange for issuing fake approval certificates for his commercial enterprise. The certificates are said to have been worth SR435,000 and the related completion certificates for the disbursement of the financial dues had been signed.
A citizen allegedly received SR12,500 of an agreed SR32,000 payment in return for canceling 16 violations by a company that had been registered at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
Nine employees of the Ministry of Health and six foreign mediators of the deals were arrested over allegations that they accepted money in return for modifying the immunization status of a number of citizens to indicate that they had received a COVID-19 vaccine when they had not.
With the cooperation of the Ministry of Interior, an officer and a resident were arrested for forming a criminal gang through which they identified workers in violation of residency laws, arrested them and then demanded money to release them.
A number of cases referred by Nazaha’s Criminal Investigation and Prosecution Unit to the Criminal Court in Riyadh resulted in convictions and the issuance of preliminary court rulings against the suspects.
In one case, a notary was convicted of bribery for receiving SR15.5 million in exchange for illegally issuing a deed of land ownership. He was sentenced to seven years in prison and fined SR700,000. The person who paid the bribe was jailed for five years and fined SR500,000. A citizen convicted of delivering the bribe was given a five-year sentence and fined SR500,000.
The secretary-general of a national committee affiliated with the Ministry of Interior was convicted of embezzlement, forgery, use of forged documents and money laundering. He was sentenced to nine years in prison and fined SR1,020,000. A businessman convicted in connection with the case was jailed for seven years, fined SR500,000, ordered to pay back SR3 million that had been embezzled, and banned from traveling for three years after release from prison.
A former ambassador was convicted of bribery and abuse of office for illegally issuing Hajj and Umrah visas in exchange for payments. He was sentenced to six years in prison and fined SR300,000.
A member of the Public Prosecution was convicted of bribery and abuse of office for requesting SR30,000 from a citizen in exchange for dismissing a pending case. He was jailed for three years and fined SR30,000.
The authority said it will continue to pursue anyone suspected of exploiting public office for personal gain or harming the public interest in any way, and that guilty individuals will be held accountable whenever they are identified, even after retirement, as there is no statute of limitations on such cases and a zero-tolerance policy applies in matters involving corruption.
Saudi authority gives details of corruption cases in progress and rulings issued in others
https://arab.news/5ycsp
Saudi authority gives details of corruption cases in progress and rulings issued in others
- Cases involve crooked land deals, bribery, fake documents, false COVID-19 vaccination certificates and other abuses of power and public office
Games and street flavors celebrate community spirit during Ramadan
JEDDAH: As night falls during Ramadan, neighborhoods across Jeddah transform into lively hubs of laughter, friendly competition and the aroma of sizzling street food.
Beyond the spiritual reflection of the holy month, long-held traditions — from classic games to humble food stalls — continue to bring families and communities together.
For many, Ramadan evenings are incomplete without traditional games that once defined social life after iftar and Taraweeh prayers.
While digital entertainment has become widespread, classics such as carrom and baloot still hold their place in homes and gathering spots.
Carrom, a tabletop game with roots in the Indian subcontinent, remains a favorite across generations.
Played on a square wooden board with four corner pockets, the game challenges players to flick colored discs into the pockets using precise finger movements. Two or four players compete, and victory goes to the side that collects the highest score. Its mix of patience and strategy makes it ideal for long Ramadan nights.
Baloot, a trick-taking card game widely enjoyed in Saudi Arabia and across the Gulf, is another staple. Played by two teams of two using a 32-card deck, the game requires coordination and quick thinking. The first team to reach 152 points claims the win, often after hours of animated rivalry.
Yasser Al-Soufi, who organizes late-night baloot games in Al-Balad, said: “Every night from 10 to 12, people gather to play baloot and enjoy some social time together. It’s a wonderful way for friends and neighbors to connect, laugh and share the spirit of Ramadan.”
Alongside these classics, families are also embracing newer Ramadan-themed games designed to blend fun with learning.
Stores such as Akwan offer interactive games including the Ramadan Memory Game, which introduces children to Arabic culture while boosting memory and cognitive skills, and Tharaba Cards, a set of 50 educational cards teaching polite expressions, manners and everyday social phrases across themes such as daily life, hospitality, gratitude and special occasions.
Founder Lujain Abulfaraj told Arab News: “We design child-centered toys that help little ones feel connected to their culture, language and the spirit of Ramadan through playful, meaningful experiences.
“Our Ramadan collection is created to plant seeds of generosity, gratitude, social awareness and pride in identity. It includes Little Dailies (Buthoor Al-Khair) for practicing conscious acts of kindness; the Dallah toy, which celebrates hospitality through role-play and coffee-serving etiquette, and an Athkar book that holds daily prayers children can recite throughout their day.”
The brand also offers free Ramadan printables on their website.
Sarah Laban, a mother of three, said: “I first discovered these games during Hayy Jameel’s Ramadan Nights and since then, buying Ramadan program cards from Akwan for my children has become a family tradition. Playing memory and trivia games together makes learning about our faith fun, and it’s wonderful to see my kids laugh, explore and connect with Islamic history in a meaningful way.”
Additionally, Jarir Bookstore offers Islamic trivia cards covering key events from the life of Prophet Muhammad, the companions, and the names of Allah, as well as Islamic history and the virtues of the holy month, encouraging children and adults alike to test their knowledge in an engaging and meaningful way.
Another growing favorite is Ramadan bingo, where traditional numbers are replaced with words and themes linked to the month, such as fasting, charity, prayer and patience.
As family members mark off squares, conversations naturally turn toward the values and stories behind each term, making the activity both entertaining and meaningful.
Deena Rahman, who organizes the game at least twice a week, said: “I invite my friends and family to join me at a cafe, enjoy some coffee, and play Ramadan bingo together. These gatherings bring my family closer and allow us to talk more openly without hesitation. Since Ramadan is all about forgiveness and moving forward, the game becomes a wonderful way to strengthen bonds and reconnect in a meaningful way.”
While homes echo with the sounds of competition and learning, the streets outside come alive with food stalls that reflect the spirit of togetherness.
Opposite a shopping center in Makronah, Abu Saad stands over a hot pan, preparing fried liver, a staple during the month.
Speaking to Arab News, he said: “We serve the fresh fried liver straight to customers’ tables and truly enjoy it. With the pleasant weather this year, I was able to expand my stall with tables and chairs to offer a better experience. My father started this as a small street-side cart, and I’m hoping to grow it into something more profitable.”
Despite rising costs of ingredients such as oil, liver and vegetables, many vendors say they try to keep prices stable to serve the community. Among the most recognizable Ramadan street foods is balila, a warm chickpea dish seasoned with cumin, vinegar and pickles often sold from seasonal “basta” pop-ups. French fries have also become a late-night favorite and a staple of late-night strolls.
Traditional drinks such as sobia, Qamar Al-Din, karkadeh and Vimto complete the Ramadan street scene, with many carts offering them alongside their snack selections.
Sultan Mohammed, who runs a food cart in Al-Zahrah district, said: “My friend and I started this because we love learning about new people and traditions, sharing food, and giving a little something for free. After all the hard work, it’s always rewarding to see people enjoying it.
“Every year, we plan to introduce something new while keeping our products fresh and healthy. This year, we’ll be serving French fries, balelah fish, chips, shrimp, kebda, and of course, sobia. We’ll be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m the entire Ramadan.”
Seasonal stalls are deeply rooted in Hijazi culture, with young people often stepping in to keep traditions alive. In Ruwais district, 19-year-old Mohammed Saeed and his six friends operate a tea and coffee stand throughout the month.
“We are a group of seven young people and run this stall in our area to keep the Ramadan spirit alive. We open our stalls immediately following Isha prayers and continue till 3:30 a.m.,” he said.
