Saudi Arabia’s former public security chief, Lieutenant General Khaled bin Qarar al-Harbi, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison on corruption charges, including bribery and abuse of power. This sentencing is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s broader campaign against dissent and potential rivals.
Al-Harbi, who led the General Directorate of Public Security from December 2018 until his dismissal in September of the previous year, faced accusations of misappropriating public funds and other offenses. The Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) conducted the investigation following a royal decree issued by King Salman bin Abdulaziz.
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Since bin Salman’s rise to power in 2017, Saudi Arabia has witnessed a severe crackdown on activists, intellectuals, and political opponents. The most notable purge occurred in November 2017, when up to 500 individuals, including royals and billionaires, were detained at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh. This crackdown, aimed at consolidating bin Salman’s rule, involved significant financial and political maneuvering, with detainees often facing severe conditions.
The purge and subsequent detentions have drawn widespread international condemnation, highlighting concerns over human rights violations and lack of due process. The crackdown has been linked to broader efforts to solidify bin Salman’s control, culminating in various high-profile cases, including the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.
