Okaz/Saudi Gazette

RIYADH — Relevant agencies have been authorized to use technology to prove commercial cover-up (tasattur) crimes through “electronic evidence” in addition to other methods of proof, the ministry of commerce said Wednesday.

There is also a provision in the anti-concealment law, approved by the Cabinet on Tuesday, to impose a fine of SR5 million and have a jail term of up to five years for the violations. The penalty can be waived in the event of the violator himself reporting about it in accordance with the specific regulations.

The law enables other relevant government agencies, apart from the ministry of commerce, to apprehend perpetrators of crimes and violations of tasattur. It gives mandatory power to each entity that issues licenses for practicing any economic activity to follow up on the firms for which it has been licensed, and inform the ministry about their suspicion of a crime of concealment.

According to the ministry, the new law contributes to stimulating small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and protects consumers from the negative impact of cover-up. The ministry of commerce is responsible for monitoring establishments, receiving reports and controlling crimes and violations stipulated in the law.