Saudi security authorities arrested eleven princes assembled at a royal palace in the capital protesting against a royal decree, and placed them in detention pending trial. The apparent reason for the arrests of the Saudi emirs was that they "gathered at the Palace of Government, demanding the abolition of the Royal Order, which provided for the cessation of payment of electricity and water for princes.”
Ever since King Salman ascended to the throne in 2015, he has introduced measures that ensured that members of the royal family are held equally accountable before the law. He approved of the beheading of a prince who killed a member of the public.
Saudi officials estimate that corruption and embezzlement has cost the kingdom at least $100 billion over decades.
