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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Saudi princes arrested for holding anti-austerity protest | Saudi princes arrested for holding anti-austerity protest |
| (about 20 hours later) | |
| Saudi authorities have arrested 11 princes for holding a protest at a royal palace in the capital Riyadh. | Saudi authorities have arrested 11 princes for holding a protest at a royal palace in the capital Riyadh. |
| The group were angered by the government's decision to stop paying the water and energy bills of royals. Those involved have not been named. | The group were angered by the government's decision to stop paying the water and energy bills of royals. Those involved have not been named. |
| The government is currently attempting a major economic overhaul to reduce its dependence on oil revenues. | The government is currently attempting a major economic overhaul to reduce its dependence on oil revenues. |
| Public spending has been targeted, including the lifting of some government subsidies. | Public spending has been targeted, including the lifting of some government subsidies. |
| The kingdom has roughly doubled domestic petrol prices and introduced a 5% tax on most goods and services, including food and utility bills. | The kingdom has roughly doubled domestic petrol prices and introduced a 5% tax on most goods and services, including food and utility bills. |
| News of the sit-in was first reported on the Saudi website Sabq. | |
| The princes also said they wanted compensation after one of their cousins was handed the death sentence for an unspecified crime, according to Sabq. | The princes also said they wanted compensation after one of their cousins was handed the death sentence for an unspecified crime, according to Sabq. |
| A statement from the Saudi public prosecutor seen by Reuters confirmed the arrests. It said the men were being held in prison on charges of disturbing public peace and order. | A statement from the Saudi public prosecutor seen by Reuters confirmed the arrests. It said the men were being held in prison on charges of disturbing public peace and order. |
| Last year dozens of princes, as well as sitting ministers and ex-ministers, were arrested as part of an anti-corruption drive. | Last year dozens of princes, as well as sitting ministers and ex-ministers, were arrested as part of an anti-corruption drive. |
| The Saudi royal family is thought to number thousands, but the wealth and status between them can vary wildly. | The Saudi royal family is thought to number thousands, but the wealth and status between them can vary wildly. |