207 arrested in latest Saudi anti-graft purge

Saudi Arabia announced the arrest of 207 employees across about a dozen government ministries in the latest sweep by an anti-corruption body empowered by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. 

The kingdom's National Anti-Corruption Commission, known as "Nazaha", announced the arrests late on Monday. Those detained were not named and it was unclear when the arrests were made.

The crown prince's anti-corruption purge began in late 2017. It has helped him consolidate power and netted the government $106bn in assets.

Saudi nationals have long complained of rampant corruption in government and of public funds being squandered or misused by those in power.

The commission said more than 460 people were investigated in this latest round, and that as a result, 207 Saudi citizens and residents were detained on allegations of corruption, abuse of authority and fraud.