Sheikh Mohammed bin Nayef’s Lawyers Raise Alarm Months After MBS Detained the Former Crown Prince
A Saudi sheikh once positioned as the next ruler of the desert kingdom has not been seen for more than five months after being detained on the orders of his cousin, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also known as MBS, the country’s de facto ruler.
Lawyers acting for Mohammed bin Nayef (known in the family as MBN), who was replaced as Crown Prince by his nephew, who is just 34, at the behest of his uncle, the mercurial King Salman, have told London’s Financial Times they are increasingly concerned about his well being.
The lawyers, who asked to remain anonymous, told the FT that MBN has not been allowed visits by his personal doctor, that his whereabouts remained unknown five months after he was detained, that his communications were likely being intercepted and that his family were fearful of being persecuted.