Saudi authorities have arrested three members of the royal family, US media reported on Friday, illustrating a strengthening of the grip on power by the very powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Prince Ahmed ben Abdelaziz al-Saoud, brother of King Salman, as well as the monarch's nephew, Prince Mohammed ben Nayef, were arrested at their homes after being accused of treason, reports the Wall Street Journal citing anonymous sources. The New York Times also reported on the arrests, adding that Prince Nayef's younger brother was also arrested.
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The Saudi authorities did not immediately react to this information. These are the most recent measures of the crown prince, who is strengthening his grip on power by the imprisonment of religious and militant leaders, as well as princes and important businessmen. Son of King Salman, the crown prince also faced fierce international criticism after the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018.
Prince Ahmed had returned to the kingdom from London after the Khashoggi scandal broke out, a decision which had been interpreted by some as a desire to show his support for the monarchy. In June 2017, when Prince Mohammed bin Salman was appointed crown prince, Prince Nayef was Minister of the Interior. At the time, Saudi television channels showed Prince Mohammed kissing his hand and kneeling in respect before Prince Nayef.
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