RIYADH — The Ministry of Commerce has publicly named a Saudi citizen and a Syrian resident following a final court ruling that found them guilty of engaging in commercial concealment involving the sale of restaurant equipment in Riyadh. According to the ministry, the Saudi national had unlawfully enabled the Syrian expat to run commercial operations under his business license. The expat was granted full control over the establishment, managing its operations and transactions for personal gain in violation of the Anti-Concealment Law. Investigations revealed solid evidence of the violation, including the expat signing contracts, supervising workers, handling purchases and sales, collecting revenues from the illicit business activity, and covering business expenses and rent. The Criminal Court in Riyadh issued a final verdict that includes the public naming of both individuals, a shared fine of SR20,000, the cancellation of the commercial registration, revocation of the license, liquidation of the business, and payment of all due taxes, zakat, and fees. The court also barred both individuals from engaging in commercial activity and ordered the deportation of the Syrian expat, with a permanent ban on returning to work in the Kingdom. The Ministry of Commerce reminded the public that under the Anti-Concealment Law, violators face penalties of up to five years in prison, fines of up to SR5 million, and the confiscation of illicit funds once a final court ruling is issued.
