Saudi authorities release two detained royals: Princess

By Ahmed al-Masri

DOHA, Qatar

Two princes -- both sons of late Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz -- have been released by the Saudi authorities after having been detained early last month in a wide-ranging “anti-corruption” sweep, according to a Saudi princess.

On Twitter, Princess Nouf bint Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud shared photos of the two princes -- Mishaal bin Abdullah and Faisal bin Abdullah -- with an accompanying caption thanking God for their release.

Princess Nouf is the sister-in-law of Prince Mutaib bin Abdullah, a former head of the Saudi National Guard who himself was recently released after having also been detained amid corruption allegations.

The Saudi authorities have not officially announced the two men’s release, but Saudi Arabia’s Sabq news website reported that “two princes” -- who it did not name -- had been freed after reaching a “financial settlement” with the government.

The website provided no further details.

In early November, the Saudi authorities abruptly detained hundreds of people -- including several prominent political and business personalities -- in a wide-ranging “anti-corruption” sweep.

Those arrested included 11 princes, four sitting government ministers, a dozen former ministers, and a handful of high-profile Saudi businessmen.