RIYADH — Five officials accused of financial and administrative corruption in Saudi Arabia have been given a 32 year collective prison sentence by the Kingdom's Public Prosecution and were fined a total of SR9 million, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Friday.

Charges against the defendants included wasting public funds, unjust enrichment, selling government property and taking advantage of their government jobs.

The prosecution found 300 items of evidence against the defendants and funds in their personal bank accounts were seized.

One of the officials was accused of receiving bribes, committing forgery, and exploiting his position to achieve personal favors. He was given a 12-year jail sentence and fined more than SR1 million.

Another official was accused of connivance in forging a document (reached amicably through traditional means), receiving and possessing the proceeds from a bribe, and engaging in commercial activities despite being a government employee.

According to the demands of the Public Prosecution, the judicial verdicts also affected some commercial entities. They were fined and deprived of signing any contracts with any public authority for a period specified by the pertinent penal regulations.

The Public Prosecution also stressed that it will not hesitate to take to court corrupt people and those who have breached the trust so that they receive the just punishment they deserve and in order to protect the nation. — SPA