{"id":82844,"date":"2024-01-29T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-29T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2024\/01\/29\/royal-commission-for-alula-boss-amr-almadani-arrested-on-corruption-money-laundry-charges\/"},"modified":"2024-01-29T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2024-01-29T00:00:00","slug":"royal-commission-for-alula-boss-amr-almadani-arrested-on-corruption-money-laundry-charges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2024\/01\/29\/royal-commission-for-alula-boss-amr-almadani-arrested-on-corruption-money-laundry-charges\/","title":{"rendered":"Royal Commission for AlUla boss Amr AlMadani arrested on corruption, money laundry charges"},"content":{"rendered":"

Good morning, wonderful people. <\/strong>On an otherwise very slow news day, we lead this morning\u2019s issue with breaking news that the head of the Royal Commission for AlUla has been detained. <\/p>\n

<\/a> Amr AlMadani was arrested on charges of corruption<\/strong>, the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (better known as Nazaha) said late last night on X<\/a>. AlMadani, a high-profile figure who first entered the national spotlight as the founding CEO of the General Entertainment Authority<\/a>, faces charges of abuse of office and money laundry. <\/p>\n

The charges cover allegations both before and after AlMadani joined government <\/strong>service.<\/strong> A relative of the RCU CEO was also arrested in connection with the investigation, as were AlMadani\u2019s two partners at National Talents, a company AlMadani (LinkedIn<\/a> | Twitter<\/a>) ran and where he remained a shareholder entering government.<\/p>\n

Could the investigation widen? <\/strong>At least one of the charges relates to a contract with King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy that National Talents won before AlMadani moved to the General Entertainment Authority.<\/p>\n

A clear message from Nazaha: <\/strong>There is \u201czero tolerance\u201d for corruption, the authority warned, saying it would \u201cpursue anyone who exploits the public office to achieve personal gain or harm public interest.\u201d<\/p>\n

AlUla is one of the Kingdom\u2019s most visible megaprojects<\/strong> as the 200k-year-old settlement becomes a global tourism and cultural hub. <\/p>\n

** You\u2019re reading issue #2 of EnterpriseAM KSA<\/strong>, your essential 7am KSA briefing on business, finance, economics, regulation, and public policy, produced in Riyadh and Cairo. You can subscribe here without charge.<\/a> <\/p>\n

Did you know we also have editions covering <\/strong>the UAE<\/a><\/strong> and <\/strong>Egypt<\/a><\/strong>? <\/strong><\/p>\n

Need to track down a past story? Head to our website<\/a><\/strong>to check out back issues, previous coverage, or explore our other reports across the Arab world. <\/p>\n

WE\u2019RE HIRING- <\/strong>If you\u2019re a Saudi citizen with a passion for business, we have a couple of vacancies left on our Saudi news team. Successful applicants will file from the Kingdom for EnterpriseAM KSA as well as our other publications, including Enterprise Climate and Enterprise Logistics. Career switchers and fresh grads alike are welcome to apply. Email patrick@enterprisemea.com<\/a> to get the conversation started. <\/p>\n

Want to pitch us on a story or interview, meet for coffee, send us a comment or a story <\/strong>tip? <\/strong>Email ksa@enterprise.news<\/a>. <\/p>\n

WATCH THIS SPACE-<\/p>\n

<\/a> #1-<\/strong>A direct shipping line between the Kingdom and Iran could be happening:<\/strong> The Kingdom and Iran plan to establish a direct shipping line connecting Dammam with Kangan under efforts to boost bilateral trade ties, Iran\u2019s semi-official Mehr news agency<\/a> reported yesterday, citing statements by local governor Ahmad Mohammadizadeh. He said the shipping line was decided during a recent visit to Dammam by Iran\u2019s Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy, Mehdi Safari. The story includes no further details, and Saudi officials have offered no comment on the report. <\/p>\n

REMEMBER-<\/strong> The two countries have been working to advance ties in the past months since their restoration of relations last year, although an agreement to restore direct umrah flights has recently stalled for what Tehran has called \u201ctechnical reasons.\u201d<\/p>\n

#2- A delegation from the World Water Council is in town to evaluate the Kingdom\u2019s bid <\/strong>to host the 2027 World Water Forum<\/strong>, SPA<\/a> reported yesterday and met with the deputy minister of environment, water, and agriculture Minister, Mansour Al Mushaiti. The delegation\u2019s itinerary includes visits to the Saline Water Conversion Corporation, the National Water Company, and others.<\/p>\n

<\/a> #3- A mandatory uniform code for bus drivers is coming in spring: <\/strong>The Transport General Authority (TGA) is introducing a new uniform code for bus drivers across the Kingdom, a handbook (pdf)<\/a> on the decision showed. Municipal, education, international, and specialist services will all need to comply. The requirements are set to come into force on 27 April:<\/strong><\/p>\n