A Saudi
prince arrested for criticising a crackdown on corruption is reported to have
been freed from detention.
Relatives of
Prince Khaled bin Talal shared pictures on social media, purportedly taken this
weekend, showing the prince greeting his family.
The prince,
who was held for nearly a year, is a nephew of King Salman.
Prince
Khaled's brother, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, was among dozens of princes and
other senior figures held in a corruption drive late last year.
The latest
move comes amid intense pressure on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over
the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Analysts say
Saudi authorities appear to be trying to defuse the crisis by shoring up
support from within the royal family.
"Thank
god for your safety," tweeted Prince Khaled's niece, Princess Reem bint
Alwaleed, posting images of him with other family members.
Other
pictures shared by relatives showed the prince kissing and embracing his son,
who has been in a coma for several years.
The Saudi
government has given no official explanation for his detention, or for his
apparent release.
But the Wall
Street Journal reported that he was held for 11 months for criticising last
year's mass detention of more than 200 princes, ministers and businessmen over
allegations of corruption.
They were
held in hotels in the capital Riyadh, including in the five-star Ritz-Carlton.
Analysts
suggested that operation was an attempt by the crown prince to consolidate
power.
At the end
of January the Saudi prosecutor general's office said more than $100bn (£77bn)
had been recovered following financial settlements with those being held.
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