Al-Harbi is suspected of "committing a number of crimes, including forgery, bribery and abuse of influence, with the participation of 18 persons affiliated to the public and private sectors," the media said.
The king's son and de facto leader of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salmann has been on a liberalization trend aimed at diversifying the economy and weaning off dependence on oil revenue. Since he became the heir to the throne, he has launched a large-scale anti-corruption campaign in Saudi Arabia, and dozens of members of the dynasty, high-ranking officials and businesspeople have since been detained on suspicion of financial crimes.