At least $100bn embezzled in recent decades, says Saudi attorney general

Saudi attorney general Sheikh Saud al-Mojeb said Thursday that 208 individuals of the hundreds of high-profile detainees round up in a massive sweep Saturday had been called in for questioning so far. Seven had been released without charge. “The potential scale of corrupt practices which have been uncovered is very large,” the attorney general said. “The evidence of wrongdoing is very strong,” he stressed. “Based on our investigations over the past three years, we estimate that at least $100bn has been misused through systematic corruption and embezzlement over several decades.” The sheikh did not name names, but the detainees are said to include 11 princes, four ministers, and several businessmen.