The seven prime suspects, who have already been handed over to courts, include a former mayor, a retired notary public, a businessman and an assistant to the mayor responsible for the municipality’s flood projects. The source added that the investigations were completed three months ago.

Those being investigated are being charged with forging documents, bribery, misuse of authority, exploiting their positions and influence, illegally amassing wealth and betraying public trust.

The source said the investigating committees, which have been set up by the Control and Investigations Board (CIB) and the Prosecutions and Investigations Commission (PIC) following a directive from the higher authorities, have examined case files and questioned suspects as a prelude to the court trials.

The committees are still studying the files of remaining officials, businessmen and retired officials who have been linked to the manmade tragedy by a committee that initially investigated the floods. The PIC and CIB received 55 files from this committee and have been carrying out their own investigations in total secrecy. The Justice Ministry is also taking steps to allocate special judges to prosecute suspects at Jeddah’s summary and general courts, the source added.

On May 10, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah ordered all suspects believed to be responsible for the floods in which 122 people died to be investigated.

“All of the accused in this case are to be referred to the CIB and the PIC according to the nature of the crime they have been accused of. This should happen after the urgent completion of procedures,” the order said.

The royal order also included the investigation of all people whose names figured in the probing committee’s report even if they were indirectly related to the cases.