RIYADH: Saudi authorities have detained 11 princes after they gathered at aroyal palace in Riyadh in a rare protest against austerity measures thatincluded suspending payment of their utility bills, Saudi media reported onSaturday.
Saudi officials did not respond immediately to a request for a comment onthe report.
Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil exporter, has introduced reforms thatincluded cutting subsidies, introducing value added tax (VAT) and cuttingperks to royal family members to try to cope with a drop in crude pricesthat has caused a budget deficit estimated at 195 billion riyals in 2018.
Online news website sabq.org said the princes had gathered at the Qasra-Hokm, a historic royal palace, demanding the cancellation of a royaldecree that stopped state payment of water and electricity bills for royalfamily members.
They were also demanding compensation for a death sentence issued against arelative, Sabq.org said.
“They were informed of the error of their demands, but they refused toleave Qasr al-Hokm,” Sabq said, quoting unidentified sources. “A royalorder was issued to the royal guards … to intervene and they were detainedand put into al-Hayer prison in preparation to put them on trial.”
It gave no details on the identity of the princes but said the leader ofthe group had been identified by the initials S.A.S.
“Everybody is equal before the law and anyone who does not implementregulations and instructions will be held accountable, no matter who heis,” the website added.
Arabic-language Okaz daily carried a similar report. Reuters could notimmediately verify the report.
Saudi Arabia last year rounded up dozens of royal family members, currentand former senior officials in a crackdown on corruption that has alsostrengthened the power of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
They were held at the five-star Ritz Hotel in the capital Riyadh whilegovernment officials negotiated financial settlements.