BFF-04 Saudi Arabia frees top broadcaster held in anti-graft drive

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ZCZC

BFF-04

SAUDI-POLITICS-CORRUPTION

Saudi Arabia frees top broadcaster held in anti-graft drive

RIYADH, Jan 27, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Saudi Arabia on Friday released the
owner of the influential Arab satellite network MBC nearly three months after
his arrest in an anti-corruption drive targeting the kingdom’s elite, sources
told AFP.

Waleed al-Ibrahim was among some 350 suspects rounded up since November 4,
including billionaire princes and ministers who were detained in Riyadh’s
luxury Ritz-Carlton hotel.

Ibrahim held a family gathering at his residence after his release, three
MBC employees told AFP on condition of anonymity. The staff also received an
official e-mail congratulating them on his freedom.

The terms of his release are unclear but the government has said that most
detainees have agreed on financial settlements in exchange for their freedom
as the anti-corruption campaign winds down.

The Financial Times reported earlier Friday that authorities had ordered
Ibrahim to hand over his controlling stake in MBC to secure his release.

Authorities have so far not commented on his case.

The government on Friday also released a number of other detainees
including Khaled Tuwaijri, former chief of the Saudi royal court, and Turki
bin Nasser, former head of the country’s meteorology agency, a source close
to the government told AFP.

The government has released other high-profile detainees in recent weeks
such as former National Guard chief Prince Miteb bin Abdullah following his
“settlement” with authorities reportedly exceeding $1 billion.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the 32-year-old son of the king, has
spearheaded the unprecedented crackdown on corruption among members of the
government and royal family, as he consolidates his grip on power in the
kingdom.

The most high-profile target of the crackdown was billionaire Prince Al-
Waleed bin Talal, dubbed the Warren Buffett of Saudi Arabia. His fate remains
unknown.

Authorities have said most of those detained struck monetary settlements
in exchange for their freedom, which could earn state coffers about $100
billion.

The windfall settlements will help the government finance a multi-million
dollar package announced by King Salman this month to help citizens cope with
the rising cost of living, Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan told Al
Arabiya television in Davos on Wednesday.

Some critics have labelled the campaign a shakedown, but authorities
insist the purge was aimed to target endemic corruption as Saudi Arabia seeks
to diversify its oil-dependent economy.

The Ritz-Carlton is set to re-open for business next month as the campaign
draws to an end, sources at the hotel have said. Its website lists rooms as
available from February 14.

BSS/AFP/MRI/0827 hrs