201 busts in Saudi purge

Dozens more people have been taken into custody by Saudi authorities, the kingdom said Thursday, bringing to 201 the number detained in a sweep that investigators say has uncovered at least $100 billion in corruption.

Saudi critics and experts have called the unprecedented purge of top princes and businessmen a bold and risky move by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aimed at consolidating power as he casts his eye on the throne.

The sweep comes at a time of increased tensions between Saudi Arabia and its main regional rival, Iran, over the ongoing conflict in Yemen and a newly erupting political crisis in Lebanon.

Saudi Attorney General Saud al-Mojeb said 208 people had been called in for questioning and seven were released without being charged.

The figure is the first reported by the government and reflects a series of arrests throughout the week.

The purge began overnight Saturday, initially catching 11 princes and 38 officials, military officers and business leaders. They are being held at five-star hotels, including the Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh.

The 32-year-old crown prince, who is the son of King Salman, is leading the investigation as head of a newly formed anticorruption committee.

“The potential scale of corrupt practices which have been uncovered is very large,” al-Mojeb said, adding that over several decades, at least $100 billion has been misused through corruption and embezzlement.