>>8521977 (PB)

https://www.businessinsider.com/saudi-arabias-corruption-crackdown-pauses-after-200-detained-2017-12?op=1

Dozens of princes, officials and businessmen were detained last month, about 200 people questioned, and over 2,000 bank accounts frozen in the purge, which has strengthened the authority of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Some suspects will go to court but authorities are seeking to reach financial settlements with most and said last week that the first deals had been done. Senior prince Miteb bin Abdullah, once seen as a leading contender for the throne, was freed after agreeing to pay over $1 billion, officials said.

A special Ministry of Finance account has been opened to receive such funds, which the public prosecutor's office has estimated should eventually total between $50 billion and $100 billion, Qasabi said during a visit to Washington to meet U.S. businessmen.

"This money definitely will be used for housing, for the general public needs, because it is the money for the people. It will not be used for any other issue but for development projects."