Source: Ex-Saudi Crown Prince under House Arrest

Saudi king’s younger half-brother Muqrin bin Abdulaziz is under house arrest after being relieved of his duties as crown prince, a source disclosed on Sunday.
Asa’ad Omabiya Abu Qalilah, an independent Libyan journalist and writer who has links within the Saudi monarchy, was quoted as saying by Hajj News website on Sunday that Muqrin cannot visit anyone or receive any guests at his palace.

On April 29, King Salman relieved Muqrin of his duties as crown prince and appointed his nephew, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, as the new heir apparent.

It is the first time that a grandson of the founder of the country (Ibn Saud), rather than a son, has been appointed crown prince.

Mohamed bin Nayef, 55, the grandson of the founder of Saudi Arabia, was appointed as crown prince and also minister of interior.

Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal was also replaced by Saudi Ambassador to Washington Adel al-Jubair.

The changes signaled a major shift at the top of the ruling Al Saud family away from princes chosen by the late King Abdullah, who died in January, and towards those close to the new monarch.

Earlier reports from inside the Saudi family said that Muqrin was bribed by King Salman bin Abdulaziz to be relieved of his duties as crown prince to push his son up the ladder to be the next king.

Mujtahid, a Saudi political activist who is believed to be a member of or have a well-connected source in the royal family, said in his latest tweets that the king’s son, Muhammad bin Salman who is trying to become the next king, has proposed to pay a $10 billion sum to Muqrin.

Meantime, Muhammad bin Salman has opened hundreds of Twitter accounts and recruited many employees to publicize for him in their accounts.