Saudi Arabia Political Purge: Princes and Ministers Arrested

Saudi Arabia's King Salman set out on the most sweeping crackdown till now of his rule, ordering security powers to detain senior princes including one of the world's wealthiest men and removing one of the most prominent official from his ministerial role. 

As cited on bloomberg, the arrests were made shortly after the establishment of an anti-corruption panel headed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as per the reinforced theory King Salman is clearing out any outstanding obstacles to his son’s rising to the throne. 

Till now 11 princes, 4 ministers and dozens of former ministers and prominent businessmen are arrested by the security forces. Prince Miteb, son of the late King Abdullah, was removed from his post of the head of the National Guards. 

King Salman said on state TV "Laws will be applied strongly on everybody who touched public money and didn't protect it or embezzled it, or misused their powers and influence".

King Salman had sidelined other senior individuals from the royal family to avoid any opposition to the crown prince, 32-year-old Prince Mohammed, also known as MBS who replaced his elder cousin, Muhammed bin Nayef, in June.  

Saudi Arabia, while never a democracy, had been ruled for decades by a loose consensus among an extended royal family, that controls various government agencies. 

Since his fathers rise to the throne, Crown Prince Mohammed has emerged as the dominant figure in the Saudi kingdom. He controls all levels of government, from the Defense Ministry to the national bank and the oil giant Aramco, which bankrolls the nation.