Mutaib bin Abdullah

During a British trial involving GPT Special Project Management and Saudi Arabian National Guard communications contracts, the Serious Fraud Office alleged that almost 9.7 million pounds had been paid to senior Saudi officials and intermediaries, including payments attributed to Mutaib bin Abdullah. The two men prosecuted for arranging the payments were ultimately acquitted of corruption in March 2024.

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted

Mutaib bin Abdullah was dismissed as Minister of the National Guard and detained during the anti-corruption purge of November 2017. Saudi sources indicated that the accusations concerned, among other things, embezzlement of funds, fictitious jobs and the awarding of contracts to his own companies, including military equipment contracts worth several billion dollars. He was released after a settlement reported to exceed one billion dollars.

State of the evidence

Settlement

Attribution

Directly implicated

During the Janadriyah festival, Mutaib echoed the view that religion should not be instrumentalised in politics and defended the presence of families and regulated mixed-gender participation at public events. His remarks prompted a reaction from Salafist religious circles; clerics met the King shortly afterwards, and Sheikh Abdulaziz al-Tarifi publicly attacked the idea of separating religion and politics.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

Not applicable

Attribution

Personally implicated

Following student demonstrations at King Khalid University over their conditions, Mutaib described the events as phenomena alien to Saudi society and maintained that demands for solutions should not take forms undermining security and stability or giving foreign parties an opportunity to destabilise the kingdom.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

Not applicable

Attribution

Personally implicated