Saudi Purge: Freezing More Bank Accounts

Local Editor

Saudi Arabia's crackdown showed no signs of letting up, with more people being questioned and banks freezing more accounts, according to people familiar with the situation.

Almost seven weeks after the so-called ‘purge' started, authorities are detaining new suspects and releasing some of those held, the people said, asking not to be identified because the matter is private.

The Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority is also telling banks to freeze the accounts of more individuals who aren't under arrest and people linked to them, the people said.

The government's Center for International Communication didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. SAMA referred questions to the public prosecution, which didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.

The authorities are seeking to reach agreements with detainees, who include royals and billionaires such as Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, "within weeks," Attorney General Sheikh Saud Al Mojeb said earlier this month.

Bank accounts of 376 individuals, all of whom are either detainees or people linked to them, have been frozen as a "precautionary measure," Al Mojeb said. Some suspects being held are starting to make payments to settle cases in exchange for freedom, he said.

Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, one of the most senior royals detained in the crackdown, was released at the end of November after reaching a deal believed to exceed the equivalent of $1 billion, according to a senior Saudi official.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team