Posted on 01/07/2018 4:11:02 PM PST by TigerLikesRooster
Saudi princes arrested for sit-in against having to pay utilities
AFP | Jan 07, 2018, 06.26 PM IST
RIYADH: Eleven Saudi princes face trial after their arrest at a sit-in protesting having to pay their utility bills, authorities said today, as the monarchy pursues reforms amid hefty debt and high unemployment.
Saudi Arabia's attorney general said "no one is above the law" after the princes were detained outside a palace in Riyadh, where they had gathered last week to demonstrate against a government decision to stop paying the water and electricity bills of royals.
They also demanded compensation for a death sentence issued against one of their cousins, convicted of murder and executed in 2016, attorney general Saud al-Mojeb said.
They have been charged on "a number of counts" and are being held at the maximum security Al-Hayer prison south of Riyadh, he said.
"A group of 11 princes staged a sit-in at the historic Qasr Al-Hokm palace on Thursday... objecting a recent royal order that halted payments by the state to members of the royal family to cover their electricity and water utility bills," the attorney general said.
"Despite being informed that their demands are not lawful, the 11 princes refused to leave the area, disrupting public peace and order".
(Excerpt) Read more at economictimes.indiatimes.com ...
Saudi Arabian Princes are like pigeons. They’re everywhere and ya gotta shoo them away. And they expect to be fed/provided for.
So, they stage a sit in and get sent to a maximum security prison. I reckon there won’t be any more sit ins.
As I understand it, they get a rather healthy stipend from the government. If so, they should be able to pay for their own utilities.
This sounds like a protest based on general principles, and I think it fails the test of reason.
Saudi Arabia's attorney general said "no one is above the law" after the princes were detained outside a palace in Riyadh, where they had gathered last week to demonstrate against a government decision to stop paying the water and electricity bills of royals.
Occutardation ping.
Wouldn’t be surprised.
Does this Crown Prince become King at some point?
No lights, water or air conditioning unless they pay their prison utility bills.
I don’t think many folks grasp the fragile position the Saudi King and his government are in there.
I don’t want to oversell it, because I don’t truly know how fragile it is, but I think it is more vulnerable to the things you mention there, than most folks think.
In addition:
If folks think things are bad now, if some Wahhabi radicals took over, look out.
Queen E doesn’t want to pay her castle heating bills.
Royal snowflakes?
Hey? If this Saudi AG ever needs a job, we’ve got an open spot here in the US. Some clown named Sessions has his name on the door, but he’s never there...
This is good PR for the Prince on several accounts:
* it shows royalty being held to similar standards as the common folk, reducing hatred by commoners of royalty
* given their usage of such utilities, the payments for the services go a long way to paying the actual bill
* given their water and energy usage, having to pay for it leads to less usage, saving the Kingdom a lot
* since there are so many royals, starting to shift bills onto them is a good way to start weaning many of them off the national dole
“Does this Crown Prince become King at some point?”
I would guess so, by process of elimination.
Thanks, that’s my guess too. I’m just not sure at what point.
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