Saudi Arabia’s anti-graft campaign has entered a new active phase with a renewed wave of arrests, this time targeting dozens of government officials across key ministries. The Oversight and Anti‑Corruption Authority (Nazaha)—established under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman—reported that in February 2025, it carried out over 3,400 oversight visits, launched 370 investigations, and arrested 131 individuals on suspicion of bribery, abuse of authority, and other corruption charges.
Scope of the Crackdown & Ministries Involved
The recent probes covered a wide range of ministries and public bodies, including critical departments like interior, defense, health, education, municipalities and housing, customs and ports—a sign of the crackdown’s breadth and depth .
Context: A Continuing Anti-Corruption Drive
This wave of arrests is part of a broader campaign that saw more than 1,700 individuals detained in 2024, covering government employees, entrepreneurs, and public servants—alleged to be involved in money laundering, bribery, forgery, and misuse of power . The initiative underlines the Crown Prince’s commitment to reducing corruption as a pillar of Vision 2030.
Public Response & Next Steps
Nazaha emphasized that some arrested officials have since been released on bail and encouraged citizens to report suspicious activity via its online platform . The public sentiment remains divided—while many welcome the crackdown as a long-overdue step toward transparency, investors remain uneasy due to fears of sudden asset freezes and ongoing uncertainty .
Why This Matters
- Governance Reform: The crackdown reinforces Saudi Arabia’s message that no official is immune, highlighting efforts toward greater institutional accountability.
- Vision 2030 Ambitions: Transparency and rule of law are critical to attracting sustained foreign investment and diversifying the economy—key goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
- Risk & Reward: While clean governance boosts long-term credibility, the perception of unpredictable actions could spook investors and slow commercial inflows.
What to Watch Next
- Legal Outcomes: Will those arrested face transparent trials, similar to previous high-profile cases?
- Investor Reactions: Will ongoing enforcement actions deter or ultimately reassure foreign investors?
- Future Campaigns: Will the crackdown expand into the private sector, or consolidate its focus on public officials?
The latest round of detentions signals that Saudi Arabia’s corruption crackdown is far from over—and that Rome-style accountability may soon reach deeper into governance structures.
You can also read: Trump Threatens Japan with Tariffs Up to 35% Ahead of July 9 Deadline
