A judge at the Third Criminal Court of the Board of Grievances in Jeddah has sentenced a former mayor to eight years in jail and a fine of SR1 million for accepting a bribe.

The judge also sentenced a businessman five years in prison and a fine of SR1 million for offering the bribe. Another businessman, who did not attend the hearing, was sentenced to four years in prison and fined SR500,000.

The court acquitted the former mayor and his two associates of charges of negligence in the Jeddah flood catastrophe.

The judge announced the preliminary after hearing testimonies in a series of cases.

The former Jeddah mayor and his associates were not charged with administrative misdemeanor.

The preliminary ruling found no abuse of authority and no involvement in failed projects prior to the 2009 floods.

The court will deliver the final verdict on Dec. 29 and has given the defendants 30 days to appeal the ruling.

Thursday’s session questioned the first defendant, who said he was satisfied with earlier cases of litigation on the case, while denying once again administrative misdemeanor. He also denied receiving bribes.

The second accused said he approved his confession but said his confessions at the Detectives and Supervisory Commission were false.

He denied paying bribes when probed by the judge.

However, the former mayor said that the businessman had paid money to the municipality as a gift.

The businessman maintained that all government sectors seek aid and that aid is often given in the hope of expecting services in return.

For instance, he said SR5 million was donated by the former mayor to the airport project. The businessman denied owning 50 shares with a value of SR50 million.

The third accused, currently in prison, was represented by his lawyer. The fourth and fifth defendants and the prosecution said they were satisfied with earlier litigation proceedings.