11 Saudi princes accused of bribery, embezzlement -official

An official has said that bribery, embezzlement, money laundering and abuse of power are among accusations leveled against 11 Saudi princes.

The official said that the 11 princes, four ministers and tens of former ministers were detained late on Saturday after King Salman decreed the creation of an anti-corruption committee chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The new body was given broad powers to investigate cases, issue arrest warrants and travel restrictions, and seize assets.

The official said billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, a nephew of the king and owner of investment firm
Kingdom Holding , faces allegations of money laundering, bribery and extorting officials.

Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, who was removed as head of the powerful National Guard, is accused of
embezzlement, hiring ghost employees and awarding contracts to his own companies, including a 10 billion dollars deal for walkie-talkies and bulletproof military gear worth billions of Saudi royals.

Former Riyadh Governor Prince Turki bin Abdullah is accused of corruption in the Riyadh Metro project and of taking advantage of his influence to award contracts to his own companies, the official said.

The official said former Finance Minister Ibrahim al- Assaf, a board member of national oil giant Saudi Aramco, is accused of embezzlement related to the expansion of Mecca’s Grand Mosque.

The official added that Al-Assaf was also accused of allegedly taking advantage of his position and inside information to benefit from land deals.

The accusations could not be independently verified.