RIYADH: In an sweeping purge, Saudi Arabia arrested eleven princes, four sitting ministers and ‘tens’ of former ministers on orders from the new anti-corruption committee headed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Saturday evening , Saudi broadcaster Al Arabiya reported Sunday.
According to a Royal Decree issued by King Salman on Saturday the anti-corruption committee is chaired by the Crown Prince Mohammed with the membership of: Chairman of the Monitoring and Investigation Commission, Chairman of the National Anti-Corruption Authority, Chief of the General Audit Bureau, Attorney General and Head of State Security.
The committee has the right to investigate, arrest, ban from travel, freeze accounts and portfolios, track funds and assets of individuals involved in corruption practices.
King Salman said in his decree that in view of what was noticed of exploitation by some to, illicitly accrue money the committee was formed to eliminate the issue.
In other sweeping changes in the cabinet, King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz has sacked prince Moteib Bin Abdullah, Minister of the National Guard from his post. Prince Khalid bin Ayyaf has been appointed as minister for the National Guard.
A second Royal Order was issued to relieve Minister of Economy and Planning, Adel al-Faqieh, from his duties, and the appointment of Mohammed Al Tuwaijri as Minister of Economy and Planning.
Also King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, in his capacity as the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of all Armed Forces (Military Units), sacked Admiral Abdullah bin Sultan bin Mohammed Al-Sultan, the Commander of the Naval Forces.
In his place, Vice Admiral Fahd bin Abdullah Al-Ghifaili is to be promoted to the rank of admiral and be appointed as Commander of the Naval Forces.
INP
