Saudi Princess Makes Rare Public Plea for Release From Prison

(Bloomberg) -- A prominent Saudi princess made a rare public plea to the king seeking to be released along with her daughter from a maximum-security jail in Riyadh, saying she’s seriously ill.

“I am currently being held in Al-Ha’ir prison without criminal, or otherwise any charges against my person,” said the appeal posted on Princess Basmah bint Saud’s verified Twitter account on Wednesday. “My health is deteriorating to an extent that is severe, and that could lead to my death.”

The posts in Arabic and English were addressed to King Salman and his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, an unusual step in a country where problems within the royal family aren’t typically raised in public. Since Prince Mohammed became heir to the throne in 2017, authorities have detained dozens of his relatives, many accused of corruption and others for unstated reasons. Some have been released.

Among the most prominent royals to be held were the king’s full brother, Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz, and former Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, who were taken into custody last month, according to a person familiar with the matter. Some analysts say that Prince Mohammed has used detentions to sideline potential opponents in the family and deter any challenges to his authority. Saudi officials have vehemently denied the claims.

The government’s Center for International Communication didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Princess Basmah, a daughter of the late King Saud in her 50s, is a businesswoman and a relatively outspoken royal. She gave interviews to foreign media while living in London several years ago, proposing reforms for her home country while still calling herself “a loyal citizen.”

She was detained in Saudi Arabia in March 2019, shortly before planning to travel to Switzerland for medical treatment, according to a person familiar with the matter. Princess Basmah’s family tried to reach the king and crown prince through other methods for over a year but had been unsuccessful, the person said.

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.