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11 Saudi princes arrested for protesting utility bills at ruling palace – media 11 Saudi princes arrested for protesting utility bills at ruling palace – media
(about 5 hours later)
Saudi Arabia’s Royal Guard reportedly arrested royal family members over a protest at one of the king’s palaces in Riyadh. The princes apparently demanded utility payments be canceled, and compensation for a relative’s execution.Saudi Arabia’s Royal Guard reportedly arrested royal family members over a protest at one of the king’s palaces in Riyadh. The princes apparently demanded utility payments be canceled, and compensation for a relative’s execution.
The royals, whose names were not disclosed, were sent to Saudi Arabia’s largest maximum-security facility – Al-Ha’ir – located south of the capital, Riyadh Saudi news site Sabq reported on Saturday. The royals, whose names were not disclosed, were sent to Saudi Arabia’s largest maximum-security facility – Al-Ha’ir – located south of the capital, Riyadh Saudi news site Sabq reported on Saturday. 
They are said to be facing a trial for their refusal to leave the historic royal palace of Qasr a-Hokm, where they protested Saudi King Salman’s decision to cut some of their privileges. This includes having their electricity and water bills paid for. The princes also reportedly demanded financial compensation for last year’s capital punishment of a relative. They are said to be facing a trial for their refusal to leave the historic royal palace of Qasr a-Hokm, where they protested Saudi King Salman’s decision to cut some of their privileges. This includes having their electricity and water bills paid for. The princes also reportedly demanded financial compensation for last year’s capital punishment of a relative. 
“They were informed of the error of their demands, but they refused to leave Qasr al-Hokm,” a source told Sabq, as quoted by Reuters. “A royal order was issued to the royal guards to intervene, and they were detained and put into al-Hayer prison in preparation to put them on trial.”
The identity of the princes involved in the incident remained unknown, but the leader of the group was identified by the initials S.A.S., according to the outlet.
Riyadh's state information service, the Centre for International Communication, said it was verifying the authenticity of the report, according to Reuters.
Last year, Riyadh arrested dozens of royals, top government officials, and businessmen in a major anti-corruption push, offering freedom to some of the detainees in exchange for paying up to 70 percent of their billions of dollars of wealth. The arrests came after the creation of a new anti-corruption committee chaired by Saudi strongman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.Last year, Riyadh arrested dozens of royals, top government officials, and businessmen in a major anti-corruption push, offering freedom to some of the detainees in exchange for paying up to 70 percent of their billions of dollars of wealth. The arrests came after the creation of a new anti-corruption committee chaired by Saudi strongman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The crown prince, who is behind the anti-corruption purge, was claimed to have spent hefty amounts on “extravagant purchases,” including a $300 million chateau, a $500 million yacht, and a $450 million painting by Leonardo da Vinci, according to the New York Times. The crown prince, who is behind the anti-corruption purge, was claimed to have spent hefty amounts on “extravagant purchases,” including a $300 million chateau, a $500 million yacht, and a $450 million painting by Leonardo da Vinci, according to the New York Times.