The Crime of Aggression against Public Money in the Saudi System

Abstract

This paper sheds light on a very important topic, especially in the present era in which money has become the lifeblood and a criterion for the progress of nations, peoples, and countries. Countries have begun to allocate large budgets to run public facilities and enhance and develop security, health, education, economy, and various aspects of life.
Therefore, a strict system was necessary to protect public money and criminalize and punish anyone who attacks public money. For that reason, this study included the concept of public money, its types, and the efforts of the Saudi legislator in combating the crime of aggression against public money, and criminalizing and punishing anyone who attacks public money. The study showed that there is no unified system for crimes of aggression against public money such as the Anti-Bribery System, or the Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances, and other penal systems in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The paper also explained that the Saudi legislator has set two images for crimes of aggression against public money; a simplified image includes all competent public employees if they commit the crime of aggression against public money, and an aggravated image for employees who directly perform functions on public money. Moreover, the study showed that aggression against public money is done through three conducts: embezzlement, squandering, or neglect in the spending or maintenance of public money. The study recommended that the Saudi legislator should establish a unified system for crimes of aggression against public money, and we suggested that the Saudi legislator set a minimum and a maximum prison sentence for the crime of aggression against public money in its aggravated form, meaning that the penalty should be imprisonment for a period of no less than two years and no more than ten years. We also suggested that the Saudi legislator should increase the fine penalty for the crime of aggression against public money, so that the fine should not be less than one hundred thousand riyals and not more than one million riyals in order to ensure that the penalty fits the crime, as the offender is attacking public money. Furthermore, we recommended that the Saudi legislator clearly specify the penalty of dismissal from office and prohibition from holding public positions for those who commit crimes of aggression against public money.