Alwaght- The Saudi regime has arrested 11 princes for staging a protest against the kingdom's austerity measures.
According to Saudi media reports, the princes, who gathered in the historical Palace of Government area in the capital Riyadh on Saturday, were demonstrating against a government decision to suspend payment of their utility bills.
Upon arrest, they were reportedly sent to Ha'ir prison, a maximum-security facility south of Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia recently introduced a raft of economic reforms, including a value-added tax (VAT) and a halt to state payments of water and electricity bills for royal family members.
On Saturday, King Salman decreed a series of financial payouts to ease the cost of living. Each government employee will receive a monthly bonus of 1,000 riyals ($267) for the next year, while military personnel serving in Yemen will be paid a one-off fee of 5,000 riyals ($1,330).
Students will have their allowances increased by 10 percent for the next year, while retirees and social security recipients will get a monthly stipend of 500 riyals ($133).
The Saudi regime last year rounded up dozens of royal family members, current and former senior officials in a crackdown on opponents of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The Saudi regime is demanding detained princes and businessmen to pay for their freedom amid report that King Salman plans to abdicate in favor of son.
