The arrest of dozens of Saudi royal figures, ministers and businessmen is just the start of an anti-corruption drive, the attorney general says.
Sheikh Saud Al Mojeb issued a statement describing the detentions as “merely the start of a vital process to root out corruption wherever it exists”.
News of a major purge of Saudi Arabia’s business and political leadership emerged on Sunday.
It is seen as bolstering the power of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
An anti-corruption body led by the crown prince, 32, ordered the detentions of 11 princes, four ministers and dozens of ex-ministers. Internationally known billionaire businessman Al-Waleed bin Talal was reported to be among those held.
Sheikh Saud Al Mojeb’s statement on the progress of the investigation spoke of “phase one” being complete.
“A great deal of evidence has already been gathered, and detailed questioning has taken place,” it continued.
“All those suspected to date, will have full access to legal resources, and the trials will be held in a timely and open manner for all concerned.”
The update on the corruption probe came as the authorities continue to investigate a helicopter crash near Saudi Arabia’s border with Yemen.
Prince Mansour bin Muqrin, the deputy governor of Asir province, was returning from an inspection tour when his aircraft came down near Abha late on Sunday.
The cause of the crash is not clear.
Prince Mansour was the son of former Crown Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz
Prince Mansour was the son of Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz, a former intelligence chief who was crown prince between January and April 2015, when he was pushed aside by Prince Mohammed’s father, King Salman, now 81.
The official Saudi Press Agency said the prince and seven provincial officials had been touring coastal projects west of the city of Abha.
State news channel al-Ikhbariya posted on Twitter photographs of the wreckageand a video showing the prince and his companions using the helicopter hours before their deaths.
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