The administrative court in Makkah and the criminal court in Baha have resumed trial of 26 suspects for their alleged involvement in issuing fake deeds for properties located along Aqeeq Road in Baha. The properties are valued at SR130 million, an informed legal source said. If proved guilty the defendants will face jail sentences up to 10 years and fines worth SR10,000 to SR10 million while convicted government officials will lose their jobs. The suspects included a former judge, a former notary public and businessmen. The new trial comes after a previous court verdict acquitting them was nullified. "The rehearing of suspects has already started last week," the source said, adding that jail sentence to be awarded to convicted defendants could reach 10 years. The suspects have already spent more than a year in prison during which they attended trial at the administrative court in Makkah. The charges leveled by the Bureau of Investigation and Prosecution in Baha against the suspects included forging of official papers and documents. The value of the properties in question during the time of forgery amounted to SR130 million, the source explained. "The suspects are also accused of paying bribes and misusing their official and administrative authority to issue fake deeds for white lands located in Baha," the source said. They are also charged with obtaining illegal revenue and undeserved government compensation. The administrative court in Makkah acquitted the suspects about a year ago but that verdict was nullified following objections raised by the public prosecutor, who wanted the case to be reviewed by three judges focusing on its criminal and administrative aspects.
