11 Saudi Arabian princes arrested for protesting against the government
At least 11 Saudi princes have been detained after gathering at the Royal Palace to protest government policy.
Sabq news agency said the 11 princes had asked the government to cancel the decree on stopping payment of electricity and water bills for royal family members.
|
| The central hall at the Royal Palace of Saudi Arabia. Photo: Reuters |
The government later explained the situation to them and asked them to disperse. However, the 11 Saudi princes did not comply with the order and were immediately arrested.
Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, is making major economic and anti-corruption reforms, including cutting subsidies, introducing a value-added tax and cutting royal family privileges to cope with falling crude prices that have left the kingdom with an estimated budget deficit of 195 billion riyals, equivalent to 52 billion USD in 2018./.
