- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

Royal Keep: Is Saudi Arabia’s Deposed Crown Prince on Lockdown?

© REUTERS / Fayez Nureldine Saudi Crown Prince and Interior Minister Prince Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz arrives to attend a graduation ceremony of members of Saudi Special Forces in the capital Riyadh, on May 19, 2015.
Saudi Crown Prince and Interior Minister Prince Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz arrives to attend a graduation ceremony of members of Saudi Special Forces in the capital Riyadh, on May 19, 2015. - Sputnik International
Subscribe
Mohammed bin Nayef, the deposed heir to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is rumored to be on lockdown in his Jeddah palace. Saudi officials have slammed the allegations as “baseless.”

(File) Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman waves as he meets with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 11, 2017 - Sputnik International
Saudi Arabia's New Heir Entered Political Stage Like a 'Meteor'
The former crown prince of Saudi Arabia, the king's 57-year-old nephew Mohammed bin Nayef, who was deposed as heir to the crown by the decision of King Salmān ibn Abd al-Aziz Al Saud himself, is rumored to be locked within the premises of his palace in Jeddah, according to a Wednesday report by the New York Times.

According to the newspaper, which quotes four current and former American officials and Saudis close to the royal family, the restrictions have been placed on bin Nayef to limit any potential opposition from him to the newly proclaimed crown prince, 31-year-old Mohammed bin Salman, the son of King Salman, whom the king appointed unexpectedly, breaking a decades-long rule of succession.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman is known both for his work dealing with the al-Qaeda insurgency between 2003 and 2006, and for more recent economic and social reforms.

The allegations of bin Nayef's house arrest were refuted by Saudi officials on Thursday.

According to a Reuters report, a senior Saudi official "expressed shock at the [New York Times] report, which he described as a ‘fabricated story' and suggested that Mohammed bin Nayef may seek legal action against the newspaper."

"His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Nayef and his family is moving freely and hosting his guests unrestrictedly. Nothing has changed for Prince Mohammed, except for stepping down from his government positions," the official said.

The US State Department acknowledged that they are "aware" of reports of bin Nayef's alleged confinement, but said they are unable either confirm or deny the allegations.

Prince bin Salman has been referred to as "Mr. Everything" by diplomats, because of the vast scope of power he already has within the kingdom, according to a Newsweek report. Apart from pushing Saudi Arabia on the Vision 2030 reform program, he has also been tasked with meeting world leaders, such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, in place of his aging father.

 

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала