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==== Related deaths ==== ==== Related deaths ====
*Prince ], son of King Fahd, allegedly killed resisting arrest.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theduran.com/saudi-prince-abdul-aziz-dies-arrest/|title=Saudi Prince Abdul Aziz bin Fahd, a business partner of former Lebanese PM Hariri, dies during arrest|date=6 November 2017|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/mystery-surrounds-fate-late-king-fahd-s-son-amid-saudi-intrigue-1517142278|title=Mystery surrounds fate of late King Fahd’s son amid Saudi crackdown|last=Akkad|first=Dania|date=2017-11-08|work=Middle East Eye|access-date=2017-11-10|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5058061/Saudi-prince-killed-firefight-resisting-arrest.html|title=Saudi prince 'alive and well' after claims he was dead|last=GARETH|first=DAVIES|date=2017-11-07|work=]|access-date=2017-11-10|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref> His death was confirmed by the Saudi royal court.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.alithadnews.com/news/2141|title=الديوان الملكي: وفاة الأمير عبدالعزيز بن فهد بن عبدالعزيز آل سعود عن عمر يناهز 44 عاماً بعد هبوط حاد بالدم - جريدة الاتحاد: الأخبار|date=2017-11-06|work=جريدة الاتحاد: الأخبار|access-date=2017-11-10|language=ar-AR}}</ref> *Prince ], son of King Fahd, allegedly killed resisting arrest.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theduran.com/saudi-prince-abdul-aziz-dies-arrest/|title=Saudi Prince Abdul Aziz bin Fahd, a business partner of former Lebanese PM Hariri, dies during arrest|date=6 November 2017|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/mystery-surrounds-fate-late-king-fahd-s-son-amid-saudi-intrigue-1517142278|title=Mystery surrounds fate of late King Fahd’s son amid Saudi crackdown|last=Akkad|first=Dania|date=2017-11-08|work=Middle East Eye|access-date=2017-11-10|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5058061/Saudi-prince-killed-firefight-resisting-arrest.html|title=Saudi prince 'alive and well' after claims he was dead|last=GARETH|first=DAVIES|date=2017-11-07|work=]|access-date=2017-11-10|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref> His death was confirmed by the Saudi royal court.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.alithadnews.com/news/2141|title=الديوان الملكي: وفاة الأمير عبدالعزيز بن فهد بن عبدالعزيز آل سعود عن عمر يناهز 44 عاماً بعد هبوط حاد بالدم - جريدة الاتحاد: الأخبار|date=2017-11-06|work=جريدة الاتحاد: الأخبار|access-date=2017-11-10|language=ar-AR}}</ref> The Saudi government has denied he was killed, saying he is alive and well.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5058061/Saudi-prince-killed-firefight-resisting-arrest.html|title=Saudi prince 'alive and well' after claims he was dead|publisher=}}</ref>
*Prince ], a businessman, son of former Crown Prince, was killed while allegedly attempting to flee the country with his private helicopter when it went down and disappeared from radar on November 5, 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-prince-killed-helicopter-crash-near-yemen-border-state-tv-2098807199|title=Saudi prince Mansour killed in helicopter crash near Yemen border|last=|first=|date=2017-11-06|work=]|access-date=2017-11-10|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofislamabad.com/saudi-prince-mansoor-bin-maqrin-killed-while-fleeing-country-report/2017/11/07/|title=Saudi Prince Mansoor Bin Maqrin killed while fleeing country: Report|last=|first=|date=2017-11-07|work=Times of Islamabad|access-date=2017-11-10|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2017/11/07/1567616/saudi-prince-killed-while-trying-to-flee-amid-royal-purge-source|title=Saudi Prince Killed While Trying to Flee amid Royal Purge: Source|last=|first=|date=2017-11-07|work=]|access-date=2017-11-10|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|language=en}}</ref> Starting on November 4, 2017 there was a ban on the movement of all private planes, ordered by the Crown Prince.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/saudi-arabia/saudi-arabia-arrests-princes-ex-ministers-in-anti-corruption-drive-1.2118748|title=Saudi Arabia arrests princes, ex-ministers in anti-corruption drive|last=|first=|date=2017-11-05|work=]|access-date=2017-11-10|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-saudi-arabia-billionaire-arrest-20171105-story.html|title=Arrest of billionaire Alwaleed bin Talal signals tightening circle of power in Saudi Arabia|last=Zavis|first=Alexandra|date=2017-11-05|work=]|access-date=2017-11-10|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref> *Prince ], a businessman, son of former Crown Prince, was killed while allegedly attempting to flee the country with his private helicopter when it went down and disappeared from radar on November 5, 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-prince-killed-helicopter-crash-near-yemen-border-state-tv-2098807199|title=Saudi prince Mansour killed in helicopter crash near Yemen border|last=|first=|date=2017-11-06|work=]|access-date=2017-11-10|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofislamabad.com/saudi-prince-mansoor-bin-maqrin-killed-while-fleeing-country-report/2017/11/07/|title=Saudi Prince Mansoor Bin Maqrin killed while fleeing country: Report|last=|first=|date=2017-11-07|work=Times of Islamabad|access-date=2017-11-10|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2017/11/07/1567616/saudi-prince-killed-while-trying-to-flee-amid-royal-purge-source|title=Saudi Prince Killed While Trying to Flee amid Royal Purge: Source|last=|first=|date=2017-11-07|work=]|access-date=2017-11-10|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|language=en}}</ref> Starting on November 4, 2017 there was a ban on the movement of all private planes, ordered by the Crown Prince.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/saudi-arabia/saudi-arabia-arrests-princes-ex-ministers-in-anti-corruption-drive-1.2118748|title=Saudi Arabia arrests princes, ex-ministers in anti-corruption drive|last=|first=|date=2017-11-05|work=]|access-date=2017-11-10|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-saudi-arabia-billionaire-arrest-20171105-story.html|title=Arrest of billionaire Alwaleed bin Talal signals tightening circle of power in Saudi Arabia|last=Zavis|first=Alexandra|date=2017-11-05|work=]|access-date=2017-11-10|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref>


Revision as of 21:57, 11 November 2017

Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, head of the Saudi Anti-Corruption Committee which ordered the arrests

A number of prominent Saudi Arabian princes, government ministers, and business people were arrested in Saudi Arabia in November 2017 following the creation of an anti-corruption committee led by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman (also known as MBS).

There are three alternate theories regarding the motives behind the purge: a genuine corruption crackdown, a project to gain money or preparing to take over the crown.

The detainees were confined at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh (which hosted the announcement for the planned city of Neom on 24 October 2017), which subsequently stopped accepting new bookings and told customers to leave. Private jets were also grounded to prevent suspects from fleeing the country.

The arrests resulted in the final sidelining of the faction of the late King Abdullah and MBS's complete consolidation of control of all three branches of the security forces, making him the most powerful man in Saudi Arabia since his grandfather, the first King, Ibn Saud.

As many as 500 people had been rounded up in the ongoing sweep. Saudi Arabian banks have frozen more than 1,700 domestic accounts as part of the crackdown. According to the Wall Street Journal, the Saudi government is targeting cash and assets worth up to $800 billion.

Attorney General Sheikh Saud Al Motjeb said in a statement that the arrests were “merely the start of a vital process to root out corruption wherever it exists.” He added that those detained will have access to legal counsel and pledges to hold trials “in a timely and open manner.” Meanwhile, King Salman appointed 26 new judges.

Allegations

The allegations include money laundering, bribery, extorting officials and taking advantage of public office for personal gain.

Corruption

King Salman stated that the anti-corruption committee need to "identify offences, crimes and persons and entities involved in cases of public corruption". He also referred to the "exploitation by some of the weak souls who have put their own interests above the public interest, in order to illicitly accrue money".

Extremism

On 24 October 2017 Crown Prince Mohammed who ordered the arrests, told investors in Riyadh that “We are returning to what we were before, a country of moderate Islam that is open to all religions and to the world”. He also pledged to counter "extremism very soon".

List of involved people

Those arrested, detained, or removed from their posts include, but are not limited to:

Princes

Related deaths

  • Prince Abdul Aziz bin Fahd, son of King Fahd, allegedly killed resisting arrest. His death was confirmed by the Saudi royal court. The Saudi government has denied he was killed, saying he is alive and well.
  • Prince Mansour bin Muqrin, a businessman, son of former Crown Prince, was killed while allegedly attempting to flee the country with his private helicopter when it went down and disappeared from radar on November 5, 2017. Starting on November 4, 2017 there was a ban on the movement of all private planes, ordered by the Crown Prince.

Politicians and businessmen

Reactions

According to Sam Blatteis, a former Google head of public policy in the Persian Gulf, “This is the closest thing in the Middle East to glasnost”; other businessmen have compared the purge to Russian president Vladimir Putin's politically-motivated attacks on Russian oligarchs. The Economist has likened the purge to the anti-corruption campaign under Xi Jinping.

In Saudi Arabia the purge has been supported by the Council of Senior Scholars and citizens in general, especially the young.

See also

References

  1. Danielle Pletka (8 November 2017), "WHAT JUST HAPPENED IN SAUDI ARABIA? THE WEEKEND PURGE EXPLAINED", American Enterprise Institute, Newsweek, retrieved 10 November 2017
  2. David Kirkpatrick (4 November 2017). "Saudi Arabia Arrests 11 Princes, Including Billionaire Alwaleed bin Talal". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  3. ^ "The world should push the crown prince to reform Saudi Arabia, not wreck it". The Economist. 9 November 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  4. ^ "Saudi Arabia's unprecedented shake-up". The Economist. 5 November 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  5. Kulish, Nicholas (6 November 2017). "Ritz-Carlton Has Become a Gilded Cage for Saudi Royals" – via www.nytimes.com.
  6. Saudi graft inquiry spreads beyond borders as UAE examines bank accounts Reuters
  7. ^ "The Saudi purge will spook global investors and unsettle oil markets". The Economist. 9 November 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  8. "Saudi Arrests, Missiles and Proxy Conflict, All in Just Five Days". 8 November 2017 – via www.bloomberg.com.
  9. "Saudi anti-corruption purge: All the latest updates". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  10. ^ "Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman widens purge". Al Jazeera. 6 November 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2017. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  11. "Saudi Arabia princes detained, ministers dismissed". Al Jazeera. 5 November 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2017. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  12. Dorell, Oren (5 November 2017). "Saudi prince behind sweep of arrests is known as young and brash, but has Trump's ear". USA Today. Retrieved 8 November 2017. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  13. Michelle Mark and the Associated Press (4 November 2017). "Saudi Arabia arrests 11 princes, including billionaire investor Prince al-Waleed bin Talal". Business Insider. Retrieved 5 November 2017. Eleven princes and dozens of former ministers were detained ... The government said the anti-corruption committee has the right to issue arrest warrants, impose travel restrictions and freeze bank accounts.
  14. ^ Donna Abu-Nasr and Glen Carey — With assistance by Alaa Shahine, Zaid Sabah, Nadeem Hamid, Vivian Nereim, and Riad Hamade (4 November 2017). "Saudi Purge Sees Senior Princes, Top Billionaire Detained". Bloomberg L.P. Retrieved 5 November 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ Patrick Wintour (5 November 2017). "Saudi arrests show crown prince is a risk-taker with a zeal for reform". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  16. ^ Becky Anderson and Sarah El Sirgany (4 November 2017). "Saudi anti-corruption sweep leads to high-profile arrests". cnn. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  17. "Saudis arrest 11 princes, dozens of ex-ministers in shake-up". ynetnews. 4 November 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  18. "Saudi Prince Abdul Aziz bin Fahd, a business partner of former Lebanese PM Hariri, dies during arrest". 6 November 2017.
  19. Akkad, Dania (8 November 2017). "Mystery surrounds fate of late King Fahd's son amid Saudi crackdown". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 10 November 2017. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  20. GARETH, DAVIES (7 November 2017). "Saudi prince 'alive and well' after claims he was dead". Mail Online. Retrieved 10 November 2017. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  21. "الديوان الملكي: وفاة الأمير عبدالعزيز بن فهد بن عبدالعزيز آل سعود عن عمر يناهز 44 عاماً بعد هبوط حاد بالدم - جريدة الاتحاد: الأخبار". جريدة الاتحاد: الأخبار (in Arabic). 6 November 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  22. "Saudi prince 'alive and well' after claims he was dead".
  23. "Saudi prince Mansour killed in helicopter crash near Yemen border". Middle East Eye. 6 November 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2017. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  24. "Saudi Prince Mansoor Bin Maqrin killed while fleeing country: Report". Times of Islamabad. 7 November 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2017. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  25. "Saudi Prince Killed While Trying to Flee amid Royal Purge: Source". Tasnim News Agency. 7 November 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2017. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  26. "Saudi Arabia arrests princes, ex-ministers in anti-corruption drive". Gulf News. 5 November 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2017. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  27. Zavis, Alexandra (5 November 2017). "Arrest of billionaire Alwaleed bin Talal signals tightening circle of power in Saudi Arabia". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 10 November 2017. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  28. ^ Igor Bosilkovski (4 November 2017). "Saudi Billionaire Prince Alwaleed Reportedly One Of At Least A Dozen Arrested For Corruption". Forbes. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  29. Daily Sabah with Agencies, Istanbul (5 November 2017). "Alwaleed bin Talal, two other billionaires tycoons among Saudi arrests". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  30. "Saudi princes among dozens detained in 'corruption' purge". BBC. 5 November 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  31. ^ "Factbox: Saudi Arabia detains princes, ministers in anti-corruption probe". reuters. 4 November 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  32. "Al Tayyar says operating normally after founder's arrest". Argaam. 4 November 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  33. Factbox: Saudi Arabia detains princes, ministers in anti-corruption probe, November 5, 2017, Reuters
  34. "Muhammad bin Salman has swept aside those who challenge his power". The Economist. 9 November 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
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