Several Saudi princes detained among dozens in new anti-corruption purge
What's the story
According to media reports, a newly constituted anti-corruption body in Saudi Arabia has detained 11 princes, four sitting ministers, and dozens of former ministers. These detentions came a few hours after the new body, headed by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, was formed by royal decree. The detainees, however, have not been named and it's unclear what they have been charged with.
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Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman's vision for Saudi Arabia
Last year, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman had unveiled a wide-ranging plan for facilitating social and economic change in Saudi Arabia. In a recent conference, he said that a return to "moderate Islam" was required, and vowed to "eradicate the remnants of extremism very soon".
Media reports
Saudi Arabia's ongoing purge
Saudi broadcaster Al-Arabiya reported the detentions were the result of fresh investigations which had recently been launched into the 2009 Jeddah floods, and the 2012 outbreak of the Mers virus. Earlier, the heads of the Saudi Navy and National Guard were replaced in high-profile sackings without any stated official reason. Among those sacked was Prince Miteb din Abdullah, son of the late King Abdullah.
Politics
Political motivations or anti-corruption drive?
Interestingly, Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, was once seen as a contender to the throne and, as the National Guard minister, was the last member of Abdullah's family at the highest levels of the Saudi government. Owing to the sacking of the Navy and National Guard heads, Crown Prince Mohammad, who's already the defense minister, now has nominal control over all of Saudi's security forces.