Alwaght- A member of the Qatari royal family, previously held against his will in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), says Saudi Arabia and the UAE ignited the current Persian Gulf crisis in order to loots Qatar's wealth.
"The Persian Gulf crisis is based on interests and the desire of both Mohammed bin Zayed and Mohammed bin Salman to usurp the wealth and riches of Qatar," Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali Al Thani said, referring to the Abu Dhabi and Saudi crown princes respectively.
"I urge my fellow Qataris to defend your position," he said, warning his countrymen that the two crown princes "may blind you with money to destroy your own country".
In an audio recording from January 15 obtained by Al Jazeera, Sheikh Abdullah said he was put under "tremendous pressures" which led him to decide to "put an end to his life".
He went on to blame Mohammed bin Zayed "for the pressures on me, my confinement, and inability to return home (Qatar) or join my family, namely my two daughters", and added: "I have decided to end my life with the aim of preventing any harm to others."
On January 14, Sheikh Abdullah had released a video statement, saying he was a "prisoner" in the UAE, and that if anything happened to him, "Sheikh Mohammed" is responsible.
While he did not specify, Sheikh Abdullah appeared to be referring to Abu Dhabi's crown prince.
On Wednesday, he flew to Kuwait where he was transferred to a hospital shortly after his arrival in a wheelchair.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali Al Thani was previously portrayed by Saudi Arabia and the UAE as the main opposition figure to the Qatari government amid the major diplomatic dispute.
After Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt imposed a land, sea and air blockade on Qatar in June, Sheikh Abdullah appeared frequently on Saudi and UAE television programs expressing his views in support of the measures against Doha.
In August, Sheikh Abdullah met powerful Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to mediate on reopening a land border to allow Qatari pilgrims to perform the annual Muslim pilgrimage to the Saudi city of Mecca.
Doha was quick to point out that he was in Saudi Arabia on a personal mission and did not represent the government.
