Abdulrahman Al-Ali Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — The Administrative Court in Jeddah has received a new file on a well-known businessman, who has been charged by the Control and Investigation Board (CIB) with giving bribes. The CIB report on the businessman is with regard to the Jeddah floods cases. The CIB is still looking into several other cases and the Administrative Court is expected to continue receiving other fresh CIB files. The CIB will continue to probe Jeddah flood cases prior to handing over these cases, which will then be looked into and investigated by the Bureau for Investigation and Public Prosecution (BIP), in line with the recent royal decision. The Administrative Court in a session on Wednesday heard the case of former Jeddah Deputy Mayor in the backdrop of the Jeddah floods of November 2009 and January 2011. The session began with the court asking the defendant on what was his plea. He said he stood before the court and would reply to the charges leveled against him. He further said he had nothing else to say, but to repeat the denial of the charges. He said he did not abuse his power, but only prepared a design idea and referred it to the mayor. But it was not carried out. The judge asked him the reason for referring the design idea to the mayor when he was supposed to submit it to the Studies Department, to which the official replied that “it was merely an idea that was not approved so it could be submitted to the Studies Department.” The mayoralty official added that the site in question is a place where flood and rainwater collects. It was submitted with the idea that a neutral committee would monitor the site and make sure that the water was pumped out. As to the letter he signed and sent to the mayor, he said it was not true. The public prosecutor said it was the defendant who prepared the design idea and referred it to the mayor. As a result, citizens were allowed to use their plots of land located on the flood route. The defendant did not present evidence that the study was carried out in line with the directives of the mayor. The judge requested a copy of the letter in question as well as proof that it was referred to the mayor. The judge adjourned the case till Feb. 20.
