Former MOI senior official dismissed from work, gets 7 years jail in border cameras case
. . . ordered to repay 1.293 million dinars and pay a fine of 2.587 million dinars
The Criminal Court has sentenced a former Ministry of Interior senior official to seven years in prison with hard labor, dismissed him from his position, and ordered him to repay 1.293 million dinars and pay a fine of 2.587 million dinars in a case involving a government tender for the maintenance of border surveillance cameras and related systems.
The court, headed by Judge Khalid Rashad, with Judges Abdulhadi Al-Hajri and Abdulaziz Al-Ma’dadi as members and Yaqoub Al-Balam as secretary, issued the ruling in connection with two related charges involving a tender for the maintenance of border cameras, the supply and installation of an underground invisible system, and the maintenance of networks and equipment.
Another accused, a foreigner was sentenced in absentia to seven years in prison with hard labor and ordered deported after serving the sentence. The court refrained from imposing sentences on seven other accused, including another former senior ministry official, but ordered each to sign a pledge of good conduct for one year backed by a financial guarantee of 500 dinars.
In its verdict, the court stressed that public office must not be used to facilitate matters that should not be approved or allow officials to evade responsibility. The court said responsibility increases with the importance of the position, particularly when duties are directly linked to the security of the country and its people.
The court emphasized that officials in senior positions at the country’s borders carry responsibilities extending beyond routine administration, including safeguarding public funds and national security.
The court described these officials as a “vigilant eye” over matters under their authority, stressing that negligence must not allow problems to continue or provide cover for those responsible.
It said the damage in the case could have been avoided had duties been properly carried out and supervisory authority exercised as required, adding that effective oversight could have stopped the problem before it escalated and prevented documents and reports from being used to conceal what was happening concerning public funds.
