Saudi- CIB probes 2,557 cases from news reports 

(MENAFN - Arab News) The Control and Investigation Board (CIB) has revealed that it has launched 2,557 criminal probes based on 994 reports published by journalists on the performance of government institutions.

The cases include bribery, fraud, embezzlement, and counterfeiting of currency. The CIB said that 1,449 people are accused of fraud and 745 of bribery. There are 82 people facing embezzlement charges and 277 accused of counterfeiting. There are 409 people accused of offenses sited under Royal Decree No. 34 for the year 1377H (1957 CE).

The CIB's spokesman and General Manager of Monitoring and Research, Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Almajli, said that the cases are all based on newspaper and magazine reports on the performance of government agencies.

Almajli said the CIB has prepared various supervisory programs to follow up on the activities of the official spokespersons of government agencies. This was circulated to all branches to make sure the government agencies, especially service agencies, appoint spokespersons at their headquarters and subsidiaries based on the Cabinet decision No. 209 dated 30/06/1433H (21 May 2012).

He said the CIB would issue a report to central government after completing its monitoring process. He added that Royal Decree No. 10245/mb, dated 17/08/1426H (21 September 2005), calls on all government agencies to respond to reports published in the media based on available information.

Almajli welcomed the role of newspapers in reporting on deficiencies and negligence on the part of government officials. He said the CIB sends the most important results and recommendations to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. He pointed out that Sheikh Dr. Saleh Bin Saud Al-Ali, Chairman of the CIB, issued instructions for the organization to build its relationship with the media, in the public interest.