Saudi activist arrests, MBS’s low profile raise questions over direction of reforms


In depth
Issue 1060 - 25 May 2018 | 7 minute read

Contradictory signals from Saudi Arabia are raising concerns that the reform process championed by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) may not have much depth in reality. On the one hand, the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (Haia)’s mutawa religious police have had their powers of arrest taken away and have all but disappeared from the streets, while the kingdom is looking forward to the advent of women being allowed to drive, which is due to take effect from 24 June.

Want to read more?

Extra Large Article

£595

(Access to one GSN article)

Subscribe to Gulf States Newsletter

View subscription options

Join our community

Sign up for an account to gain:

  • Set up news alerts on the countries and sectors that matter to you.
  • Free access to newsletter articles under 100 words.
  • Free access to GSN View articles articles.


View a selection of Free articles

Explore subscription options

Follow us on Google News