Egyptian businessman apologises to Saudi’s Bin Salman

Egyptian businessman Naguib Sawiris has apologised to Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman about his previous remarks criticising the sudden arrest of hundreds of Saudi princes and businessmen, Almesryoon reported yesterday.

On Twitter, Sawiris wrote: “Referring to my latest criticism of the Saudi Crown Prince, I would like to clarify something important in order not to be misunderstood.”

“It is right as a businessman who has good relations with his Saudi counterparts, I became sad due to what happen to some of them recently, but this does not and will not affect my respect for the Crown Prince.”

Sawiris reiterated his “appreciation” for the vision of the Crown Prince who seeks to lead the Kingdom to prosperity, as well as for his call to return to the “origins of tolerant Islam”.

Read: Saudi corruption crackdown could raise $800bn

On Friday, Sawiris called Bin Salman’s crackdown on the princes and businessmen in Saudi Arabia as an attempt to undermine the rule of law, noting this would deter investment. He referred to Bin Salman as “this young man”.

He said in a conference held in Rome: “We need to tell him ‘no’. There is the rule of law and order. You have a transparent process. Where is the court? What is the evidence? Who is the judge? Are you not part of this? Where did you get your money? Didn’t you do this? What is the system?”

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“Everyone with a conscience should speak out… Many are too frightened to do so… Everyone is scared because they have interests there, they have the oil, they have the money. But you need to have a conscience. When I say this, I know I am done-for in Saudi Arabia. No more business [there]. Ok, I don’t care.”

Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman ordered the detention of more than 200 princes and businessmen in Saudi Arabia and froze more than 2,000 bank accounts in what he claimed to be an attack on corruption.

A number of the detained will appear in court, however the Kingdom is trying to reach deals with them in which they relinquish 70 per cent of their assets in return for their freedom.