As the Control and Investigation Board (CIB) begins Saturday its investigations into the case files of over 70 persons facing charges related to the Jeddah flood disaster of November 2009, sources told Okaz that the accused would be put on trial publicly. Construction contractors found guilty may also be liable to pay blood money. The charges, according to the sources, will include favoritism and abuse of power in cases related to government employee corruption, while charges of bribery, forgery and misuse of public funds will be heard through criminal law procedures. Contractors found guilty of failing to meet standards in the execution of their works will be obliged to compensate for damages incurred and pay blood money to the relatives of those who lost their lives, the sources said. “There are history and law and regulations experts on some of the investigation committees,” the sources said. “Now with the Investigation Department's completion of investigations into the accused, what remains is to take defendants' statements before referring them to court”. The sources added that judges are expected to hear the opinions of engineering offices during trials. The CIB, meanwhile, said its questioning procedures had been finalized along with those for drawing up charges in accordance with the results of its investigations. Specially designated interrogation rooms may also be employed in the case, “due to its sensitivity”. “What matters to everyone is that justice is done, and that the accused are able to present a defense, either by themselves or through lawyers,” said Abdul Aziz Al-Qu'aib of the CIB's Public Relations and Information Department. According to Al-Qu'aib, CIB chief Saleh Aal Ali met with officials to stress the importance of speeding up the implementation of the royal decree issued earlier this month. The investigation team, which includes investigation and financial auditing specialists, is being headed by CIB Deputy Chairman for Investigation Affairs, Saad Bin Abdul Aziz Bin Kulaib. 122 people were killed in the floods and 32 remain missing. 9,500 homes and property suffered damage, along with 11,000 vehicles.
