Senior Saudi royals in detention over alleged coup

The only surviving full brother of Saudi Arabia’s king Salman, prince Ahmed Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud has been detained.

This is coming on the heels of attempts by crown prince, Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) to consolidate power within the royal family.

The king’s brother was detained on Friday as part of a security clampdown that also included the detention of the king’s nephew, Mohammed Bin Nayef.

Both senior royals are seen as possible alternatives to MBS, the kingdom’s de facto ruler in succeeding 84-year old king Salman.

They were accused of plotting a coup to unseat the king and his son.