Originally posted by the Voice of America.
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Saudi Arabia Detains 208 People in Corruption Probe

by VOA News

   Saudi Arabia's attorney general is confirming the country has detained
   208 people in a wide corruption probe and estimates more than $100
   billion had been embezzled over many years.
   In a statement Thursday, Saud al-Mojeb said seven of the people
   detained had been released without charge, but the other 201 remain in
   custody. Around 1,700 bank accounts also were frozen by the government.

   Critics of the government say the probe is aimed at purging top Saudi
   government officials and sidelining rivals as 32-year-old Crown Prince
   Mohammad bin Salman heads the newly formed anti-graft commission.
   "Based on our investigations over the past three years, we estimate
   that at least $100 billion has been misused through systematic
   corruption and embezzlement over several decades," the statement read.
   The government did not name any of the people who have been detained
   during the probe, citing privacy concerns.