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Saudi King Salman fires director of public security, orders investigation
September 08, 2021
RIYADH, Sep 08 (INP): Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz ordered on Tuesday the termination of First Lieutenant General Khaled al-Harbi, the head of the Kingdom’s Public Security.
Al-Harbi was forced into retirement while an investigation looks into violations he has committed during his role as top public security chief, according to an official royal decree published on state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The royal decree issued on Tuesday said al-Harbi had committed “violations with the aim of seizing public money for personal use” and that he was “accused of committing a number of crimes, including forgery, bribery and abuse of influence with the participation of eighteen people from the public and private sectors.”
Saudi Arabia’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (Nazaha) is expected to complete the investigation procedures with all those involved in the graft case against al-Harbi and those linked to him.
Earlier in the day, Nazaha announced it had initiated 20 new cases in recent weeks, including some involving former security officials at the ministries of interior and national guard.
Al-Harbi was born in 1962 in Medina where he lived and studied until he graduated from the Uhud High School in 1979. He later joined King Fahd Security College in Riyadh and graduated with the rank of lieutenant with a bachelor’s degree in security sciences. He then began his military service in 1982.Saudi Arabia’s Nazaha announces arrests in 20 new corruption cases
Saudi Arabia’s Nazaha announces arrests in 20 new corruption cases Later, al-Harbi began his professional career in the Special Emergency Forces in the Medina region and worked in all sections of the force, including commander, battalion commander, commander of the recruitment and training center and director of operations, until his appointment as commander of the Medina Force in 2001.
In 2006, he was transferred to work in the Special Emergency Forces Command where he was appointed Director of Operations and then Assistant, and in 2010 he was appointed Commander of the Special Emergency Forces.
Al-Harbi held the position of Commander of the Hajj Security Forces for the year 2016 and was appointed as the Commander of the Umrah and Hajj Security Forces for the year 2017.
Al-Harbi took over the position of Director of Public Security of the Saudi Ministry of Interior on December 27, 2018, until his dismissal on Tuesday.