Motivation behind new arrests in Saudi Arabia: Fighting corruption or consolidating power?

Four senior officials and two Saudi princes have been dismissed from the Ministry of Defense on charges of “financial corruption” and “suspicious financial activities.” The exact reasons for the dismissals are unclear. Critics of Mohammed bin Salman view the moves with skepticism.

The arrest of members of the royal family in Saudi Arabia and their removal from key positions has not been a rare phenomenon in recent years.

Now, the Saudi Arabian government has announced that six senior officials have been dismissed from their posts, two of whom are members of the Saudi royal family, on the orders of King Salman.

On Tuesday, September 1, the Associated Press reported from Dubai about new dismissals in the Saudi Arabian government.

Among these people are Prince Fahd bin Turki, the commander of Saudi forces in Yemen, and his son, Prince Abdulaziz bin Fahd, the deputy governor of Jawf province.

Prince Fahd bin Turki assumed command of Saudi forces in the Yemen war in February 2018. This is despite the fact that the Yemen war began in 2015 at the initiative of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The handover of leadership of the Saudi military coalition in Yemen to Fahd bin Turki took place while Sanaa was still in the hands of the Houthi rebels.

Prince Fahd bin Turki has previously held key positions in the Royal Saudi Army, including overseeing the Royal Infantry Division.

Financial corruption or consolidation of power

Although the order to dismiss these six people was issued by King Salman, there is no doubt that these actions are being taken by Mohammed bin Salman.

Mohammed bin Salman, the 35-year-old Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, who effectively rules the country, has repeatedly stated that fighting corruption is one of his priorities in governing the country.

The dismissal of these two princes and four other senior officials of the country was also carried out on charges of financial corruption and "suspicious financial activities observed in the Ministry of Defense."

The Associated Press continued its report, emphasizing that no further explanation has been made available to the media about these “suspicious financial activities.” The report also states that it is not clear whether these individuals have been detained or whether they have been provided with a lawyer.

The Saudi government's statement regarding the dismissal of these individuals states that the investigation into this case will continue with the participation of government and military officials, and that necessary measures will be taken after the results of this investigation are clear.

The news agency continued its report by writing that critics of Mohammed bin Salman doubt the veracity of the accusations against these individuals and consider these actions to be his efforts to eliminate rivals and consolidate his power.

It is worth remembering that after taking power, Mohammed bin Salman took similar measures using the accusation of fighting corruption.

In 2017, on the orders of Mohammed bin Salman, the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh was turned into a prison, and a number of high-ranking officials and princes of the royal family were imprisoned in the hotel for several weeks.

Source: DW