https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/69-hamas-members-sentenced-to-prison-in-saudi-arabia-676171
Hamas has expressed “shock” at the ruling issued by a Saudi court against a large number of Palestinians and Jordanians residing in the Kingdom.
According to Hamas, 69 of its Palestinian and Jordanian members and supporters were sentenced by a Saudi court on Sunday to prison terms ranging from three to 21 years.
The men were arrested three years ago and accused of affiliation with a terrorist organization and raising funds on its behalf.
Hamas is an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, which has been designated by Saudi Arabia and a number of Gulf states as a terrorist organization.
“These brothers did not commit what necessitated these harsh and unjustified sentences, as well as trial,” Hamas said in a statement. “All they did was support their cause and the people to whom they belong, without any offense to the Kingdom and its people.”
Hamas welcomed the court’s decision to acquit some of the defendants, but said it “deplores the harsh and undeserved sentences against most of them.”…
“More than 200 arrested in latest Saudi anti-corruption purge,” Al Jazeera, August 10, 2021:
Saudi Arabia announced the arrest of 207 employees across about a dozen government ministries in the latest sweep by an anti-corruption body empowered by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The kingdom’s National Anti-Corruption Commission, known as “Nazaha”, announced the arrests late on Monday. Those detained were not named and it was unclear when the arrests were made.
The crown prince’s anti-corruption purge began in late 2017. It has helped him consolidate power and netted the government $106bn in assets.
Saudi nationals have long complained of rampant corruption in government and of public funds being squandered or misused by those in power.
The commission said more than 460 people were investigated in this latest round, and that as a result, 207 Saudi citizens and residents were detained on allegations of corruption, abuse of authority and fraud.
Those accused will be referred to prosecution, the commission said. They hail from the national guard and a range of ministries, including defence, interior and health and justice, among others.
In April, the commission said 176 people from across the public sector had similarly been detained for alleged corruption…..
