Saudi crackdown: $ 107bn recovered, 56 still in custody

◗ Sheikh Saud alMojeb said he has completed inquiries into 381 high- profile corruption suspects and decided to keep 56 in custody and free rest

Riyadh, Jan. 30: Saudi Arabia’s attorney- general said on Tuesday $ 107 billion has been recovered so far in a major crackdown on high- level corruption and that 56 suspects were still being investigated.

Sheikh Saud al- Mojeb said he has completed inquiries into 381 highprofile corruption suspects and decided to keep 56 in custody and free the rest.

Those released include individuals proven not guilty but also others who had agreed financial settlements with the government after admitting corruption charges, he said.

Total settlements with the suspects had topped 400 billion riyals ($ 107 billion) in various forms of assets handed over that included property, securities and cash.

In November, the authorities launched an unprecedented anti- graft swoop that netted hundreds of members of the extended royal family, top businessmen and officials.

The anti- corruption drive was led by Mohammed bin Salman, the 32- year- old crown prince and author of the “Vision 2030” programme of social and economic reforms in the ultra- conservative Muslim Gulf nation. Among those detained was one of the desert kingdom’s most high- profile and wealthiest men, Prince AlWaleed bin Talal.

The man dubbed the Warren Buffett of Saudi Arabia was released on Saturday after striking an undisclosed financial agreement with the authorities. He remains chairman of the Kingdom Holding Company in which he owns a 95% stake.