Saudi Arabia detentions: Prince Miteb bin Abdullah released
Saudi Prince Miteb bin Abdullah has
been released more than three weeks after he was detained on allegations
of corruption, officials say.
Prince Miteb, once seen as a
contender to the throne, was freed after agreeing an "acceptable
settlement" with authorities of more than $1bn (£750m).
He is one of more than 200 political and business figures detained in anti-corruption raids on 4 November.
Three other people have also reached settlements with the Saudi government.
"Yes,
Prince Miteb was released this morning [Tuesday]," a source close to
the government told the Agence France-Presse news agency.
Prince Miteb, who is the cousin of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
and headed Saudi Arabia's elite National Guard, was the most politically
influential royal detained in the corruption crackdown.
The 64-year-old son of the late King Abdullah was sacked shortly before his detention.
Princes,
ministers and top businessmen were arrested at the beginning of the
month and detained in a luxury hotel, accused of corruption.
Authorities grounded their private aircraft and their assets were seized.
Corruption
is rampant in Saudi Arabia with bribes, sweeteners and lavish kickbacks
having long been an integral part of doing business in the world's
richest oil-producing nation.
The crown prince - backed by his
father, the 81-year-old King Salman - has made no secret of his belief
that the country needs reform and has focused his attention on some of
the richest men in Arabia.
Many ordinary Saudis have welcomed the
move to tackle corruption with the hope that some of their nation's
wealth will be redistributed to the general population.
BBC
No comments
Your comments and Encouragement are welcome