A Look At How Saudi Crown Prince Salman Crushed His Rivals

Ritz-Carlton Saudi Arabia

NBC: How a Saudi royal crushed his rivals in a 'shakedown' at the Ritz-Carlton

Royals and others held at the luxury hotel after a Nov. 4, 2017, roundup were subjected to extortion, psychological abuse and torture, U.S. officials say.

WASHINGTON — The Ritz-Carlton in Saudi Arabia's capital bills itself as an "elegant oasis" that "completely envelops its discerning guests in majestic surroundings."

But a year ago Sunday, on Nov. 4, 2017, the ultra-luxurious Riyadh hotel — with its marble floors and vast indoor swimming pool — became a gilded prison, when hundreds of Saudi royals, billionaires and senior government officials were detained in an extraordinary power play by the heir to the throne, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The involuntary guests were told they had to sign away large chunks of their assets to be released. The detention involved both psychological abuse and — in some cases — torture, current and former U.S. officials say.

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WNU Editor: There is no rule of law in Saudi Arabia. It all comes down to what the Crown Prince (and now future King) Salman wants.

This Saudi Prince Just Paid $1 Billion To Be Set Free

BBC: Saudi anti-corruption drive: Prince Miteb freed 'after $1bn deal'

Saudi Prince Miteb bin Abdullah has been released more than three weeks after he was detained on allegations of corruption, officials have said.

Prince Miteb, once seen as a contender to the throne, was freed after agreeing an "acceptable settlement" with authorities of more than $1bn (£750m).

He was one of more than 200 princes, ministers and businessmen detained in an anti-corruption drive on 4 November.

At least three others have also agreed settlements, the officials said.

"Yes, Prince Miteb was released this morning [Tuesday]," a source close to the government told the Agence France-Presse news agency.

The prince has so far not commented, and it was not clear whether he was now able to move freely or whether he was under some form of house arrest.

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WNU Editor: I suspect that some of these Saudi princes are beyond livid on what has happened to them .... and powerless to do anything about it.

More News On Saudi Prince Miteb bin Abdullah Paying $1 Billion To Be Set Free

Senior Saudi prince freed in $1 billion settlement agreement: official -- Reuters
Saudi Prince Released After $1 Billion Deal, Official Says -- Bloomberg
Son of late Saudi king released from detention, official says -- CNN
Saudi prince Miteb bin Abdullah pays $1bn in corruption settlement -- The Guardian
Saudi Prince Miteb bin Abdullah reportedly freed after $1B settlement agreement -- FOX News
Saudi Arabia Releases Senior Prince, Once Contender to the Throne, for $1 Bln -- Sputnik
Detained Saudi Prince Buys His Freedom For $1 Billion -- Zero Hedge

Is Saudi Arabia Facing A Shiite Rebellion Within It's Own Borders?

An image purportedly showing the arrest of a man in Awamiyah on 5 April 2015 (Twitter)

RT: ‘It’s like a war here’: Saudi police raid defiant eastern province amid wider conflict with Shias

One Saudi policeman was killed and four injured during raids on a Shia-dominated oil-rich eastern province, as the Saudi-led coalition bombardment of rebels in neighboring Yemen prompted fears of the fighting spilling over the border.

It is thought the security raid in the eastern town of Amawiyah was aimed at subduing Shiite discontent with the Saudi Sunni majority. The gulf kingdom fears further escalation amid the latest regional developments and wider allegations of discrimination.

More News On Growing Unrest Among Saudi Arabia's Shiite Population

Saudi policeman killed in Shiite town shootout -- AFP
Saudi policeman killed in oil-rich Eastern province -- Daily Star/Reuters
Saudi Forces Storm Shiite-Majority City of Awamiyah -- Tasnim News Agency
Police officer killed in security raids on Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province -- Middle East Monitor

Riots Breakout As Saudi Arabia Expels Foreign Workers

Men walk next to a car which was damaged during clashes between Saudi and foreign workers in Manfouha, southern Riyadh. Photo: Reuters

Unrest As Saudi Arabia Expels Foreign Workers -- Sydney Morning Herald

Saudi Arabia's sweeping crackdown on foreign workers has caused a severe labour shortage throughout the kingdom, with garbage reportedly piling up around major cities, crops going unpicked and school buses sitting idle without drivers.

More than 20,000 foreign workers have been arrested, after an amnesty that allowed those employed without proper visas to formalise their status ended last week.

Along with labour shortages and mass arrests there is also growing civil unrest, with violent clashes breaking out between workers and residents.

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More News On The Unrest In Saudi Arabia As Migrant Workers Are Expelled

Tensions flare in Saudi Arabia amid mass deportations of undocumented foreign workers -- Euronews
Riots in Saudi Arabia: ‘The Kingdom expels the same people it exploited’ -- France 24/AFP
Saudi Arabia Cracks Down On Undocumented Workers -- NPR
Ethiopians 'surrender' in Saudi after clamp down -- BBC
3rd person killed in Saudi Arabia clashes after visa crackdown -- CNN
Saudi Arabia deports 54,000 Pakistanis -- Business Recorder
Immigrant crackdown in Saudi Arabia leaves garbage in streets, migrant workers hiding in fear -- Washington Post/AP
Saudi Arabia and its labourers. Go home, but who will replace you? -- The Economist

Currency Markets Indicate Trouble In Saudi Arabia Next Year

Bloomberg, Business Insider

A Rare Occurrence In The Saudi Currency Market Tells You That Trouble Is Brewing In The Middle East -- Business Insider

An important shift is developing in Saudi Arabian currency derivatives markets as Iran becomes engulfed in populist protests amid hyperinflationary pressures and armed conflict breaks out between Turkey and Syria, heightening concerns about tensions in the Middle East.

The 12-month forward rate on the Saudi Arabian riyal – or the difference between how many riyals traders think a dollar will be able to buy a year from now and how many riyals a dollar can buy today – has been hovering just above zero for the past two weeks.

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My Comment: To me .... this is an indication that some Saudi Arabia watchers are expecting the Arab Spring to arrive, coupled with the unrest and turmoil for change that it will bring. And for those who have "money in the game" ..... they are showing to the rest of the world that they are now betting on it.

Will The Arab Spring Reach Saudi Arabia?

Will Saudi Arabia Be Next To Fall? -- Michael Rubin, Commentary

After the Tunisian protesters sent Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, dictator for almost a quarter century, packing, the Central Intelligence Agency famously predicted the Arab revolt would not spread. Almost two years later, dictators have fallen in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, and a fifth appears on the ropes in Syria. Despite what regional experts and Arab autocrats hoped, the desire for freedom and liberty is contagious. So when Bashar al-Assad’s tenure ends with a bullet in his head or a broomstick in his bottom, what will be the next domino to fall?

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My Comment: Talk about nightmare scenarios.

Sectarian Violence Hits Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia Hit By Sectarian Violence As Two Killed -- The Telegraph

Saudi Arabia's Shia east has been thrown into turmoil after two people were killed when police opened fire on demonstrators protesting the shooting and arrest of a popular anti-regime cleric.

The detention of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr triggered the worst unrest in the kingdom's Eastern Province for months, prompting fears that the long-marginalised region could erupt in open revolt.

Hundreds of men marched through the centre of the city of Qatif, chanting "Down, Down with the House of Saud" and "Death to al-Saud", a rare direct challenge to the kingdom's royal family.

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More News On The Sectarian Violence In Saudi Arabia

Angry Throngs at a Funeral in Saudi Arabia -- New York Times
Thousands rally after death of protester in Saudi Arabia (VIDEO) -- RT
Saudi Shi'ites throng funerals of slain protesters -- Reuters
Saudi Arabia says two killed after cleric's arrest -- Reuters
Saudi shootout and crackdown: Two dead as police squash Shia rally -- RT
Iran Criticizes Saudi Crackdown on Protesters, Fars Says -- Bloomberg
Saudis fear revolution will hit kingdom -- Press TV (Iran)
Video of Protests and Clashes in Saudi Arabia -- New York Times