201 detained in $100bn corruption inquiry

Saudi Arabian authorities have detained 201 people as part of a probe into claims that at least $100 billion (£75bn) has been misused through embezzlement and corruption.

The kingdom’s attorney general Saud al-mojeb said that 208 people had been called in for questioning since Saturday evening, and that seven people have since been released without charge.

The figure released by the government is far larger than previously reported as it appears more arrests were made throughout the week.

Overnight on Saturday, when the surprise arrests began, 11 princes and 38 officials and businessmen had been detained. They are being held at five-star hotels across the country, including the Ritz-carlton in Riyadh.

Critics and observers say the purge that has targeted top princes, officials, military officers and businessmen is a power grab by the crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, in order to sideline potential rivals and critics.