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A man walks past a banner showing Saudi King Salman (right) and his Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, outside a mall in Jiddah
SAUDI ARABIA released images of King Salman greeting two diplomats being sworn in as Saudi ambassadors today, in an effort to quash rumours he could be dead or gravely ill.
Speculation over the autocrat’s health soared following the arrests of his younger brother Prince Ahmed bin Abdelaziz and nephew Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, both of whom have been called rivals to his designated successor Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Though the kingdom has not formally commented, reports of their arrests were published on Friday.
Both princes have previously held the post of interior minister, overseeing the Gulf tyranny’s repressive security apparatus, which still imposes the death penalty for homosexuality, apostasy, adultery and sorcery.
As Saudi Arabia is hailed abroad for its ‘reforms,’ the reality for women inside the kingdom grows ever more repressive. On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, MARYAM ALDOSSARI argues it is time to stop applauding the illusion – and start listening to the women the state works hardest to silence
