Saudi: 6 years jail for 2 expats convicted of money laundering

A Saudi court sentenced two Arab nationals to 6 years in prison and fines amounting to SR200,000 after their conviction in money laundering, the Public Prosecution announced on Monday.

The court also ordered the confiscation of SR3,5 million involved in the crime as well as the proceeds thereof, and the deportation of the expatriates after serving their jail term and payment of the fines.

An official source at the Public Prosecution stated that the investigations, carried out by its Economic Crimes wing, led to the indictment of the two persons involved in money laundering.

It was revealed in investigations that the two expatriates collected the money knowing that it resulted from crimes and violations, to hand them over to another person and smuggle them outside the Kingdom and enable the main perpetrator to escape punishment.

The defendants were arrested and were subjected to trial procedures before the competent court, which finally issued the verdict.

The source stressed the protection of the monetary process from felonies, and that behaviours involving violations and crimes that would harm the economic interest of Saudi Arabia necessitate strict criminal accountability.