A senior official from the Jeddah mayoralty is standing trial after he was accused of embezzling SR5 million in public funds. The suspended official is accused of depositing the money into his personal bank account, forging 23 invoices and using public money for medical treatment and travel purposes while he was touring a foreign country accompanying a former mayor of the city. The accused official admitted to transferring the SR5 million into his personal account but said he was acting on the former mayor's orders although he said he didn't have any evidence that could prove the former mayor's involvement. He also denied charges of forgery despite testimony from handwriting experts who confirmed the handwriting on the forged invoices was a positive match. As for his previous confessions, the official said they were taken under duress. Two more people stood trial as well on charges of bribery. One of the accused admitted to giving some mayoralty officials cell phones to use for work purposes so that they could keep in contact with each other regarding an infrastructure project which was implemented by the mayoralty. The fourth accused did not appear before the court as he is abroad. The judges decided to adjourn the case for further review. __
