Saudi Arabia to detain 500 more suspects in anti-corruption probe

Saudi Arabian authorities arrested 38 high-profile figures on Saturday, including princes and current and former ministers on “anti-corruption” charges. Eleven princes, four current ministers and dozens of former ministers were among those who were detained. The arrest orders came from an anti-corruption committee just hours after the King Salman issued a Royal Decree to form the committee, which is headed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. However, there are 500 more people to be arrested and detained, according to reports.

Dozens of senior executives from military and civilian bureaucracy are expected to be detained by the commission in the upcoming days. It will be end of a period for the Saud family after Mohammad bin Salman becomes king in Saudi Arabia, where 30 sons of the founder of Saudi Arabia, Ibn Saud are still heir to throne.

Saudi Arabia said on Sunday that it will freeze assets of 38 of the detainees, including the 11 princes. Saudi’s attorney general stated that the arrest of the key figures so far is only “phase one” of the probe, and that new operations will be launched as part of the major anti-corruption purge.

“Yesterday does not represent the start, but the completion of Phase One of our anti-corruption push,” Attorney General Sheikh Saud Al Mojeb said on Monday.

Private jets have also been suspended in Saudi airports to prevent attempts to flee the country.