![Saudi Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdul Aziz, whose father was arrested during a Saturday (November 4th) anti-corruption purge in the kingdom, has been offered asylum in Iran. [Photo circulated on social media]](/cnmi_am/images/2017/11/07/10286-Saudi-prince-Iran-700_496.webp)
Iran's reception of fugitive Saudi Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdul Aziz is increasing tension in the region and posing a challenge to the kingdom, experts told Al-Mashareq.
The prince, who has been granted asylum by Iran, should have surrendered himself to the Saudi judiciary, they said, noting that the Saudi public perceives his escape to Iran as a sign he is culpable in the corruption case.
Iranian authorities granted asylum to Prince Turki shortly after he arrived in Tehran, various media outlets reported.
Prince Turki's mother is Jawaher Bint Nayef bin Abdul Aziz, half-sister of former Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef.
His father is the son of Prince Mohammed bin Fahd, who is among the 11 princes, four current ministers and dozens of ex-ministers who were arrested in the kingdom on Saturday (November 4th) during a sweeping purge.
The arrests were announced as a new anti-corruption commission headed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched a probe into old cases.
Inflaming tensions
Iran's decision to offer Prince Turki asylum continues its pattern of interference in the internal affairs of countries in the region, said Fadel al-Hindi, a supervisor at King Abdulaziz University's Centre for Human and Social Research.
The prince's father is among those waiting to be brought before a judge, he told Al-Mashareq, noting that the fugitive prince's name has not been implicated.
Al-Hindi said "it is possible that the intelligence services of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have scared the prince into thinking that he is wanted and has to escape, and that Iran is ready to receive him".
The prince’s "young age and lack of political savvy" may be behind his rush to escape to Iran in such a way, he added.
Lingering questions
By leaving the kingdom, the prince has opened the door to speculation about his own involvement in the corruption cases, said Abdullah al-Muqrin, a professor of comparative jurisprudence at Umm al-Qura University in Mecca.
"It raises questions about whether the prince has dealt with Iranian intelligence in the past," he told Al-Mashareq, noting that the speed at which the prince arrived in Tehran and was offered asylum is unusual.
Such a move would generally require a long period of preparation and persuasion, he said, also noting that Iran, of all countries, is not likely to extradite the prince to Saudi Arabia, given the nature of their relationship.
If the prince had sought refuge in an Arab or Western country, he said, extradition procedures are in effect and there would be major political and legal considerations and repercussions to contend with.
If the Saudi authorities demand Prince Turki's extradition and Iran refuses, he added, this would "increase tension and hostility between the two countries".
Is what’s being said about Iran a lie? Is the destruction of Yemen and Syria, the kidnapping of Lebanon and the sedition in Bahrain a lie? Where are your minds, o, followers of Iran and worshippers of the Magus?
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A new Saudi political era is on the horizon, but it's hard to tell where it will lead the country. Maybe it'll be into difficulty, but not create disorder and chaos like in Libya, Iraq and Somalia.
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A message to Al Saud. The more you tighten the noose on the poor, the more God will tighten the noose on you. Don’t tighten the noose on poor Egyptian expatriates. You’ve raise the cost of umrah and the visit of our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH and upon his family and companions). O, Mohammed bin Salman, if you don’t fear God, He will exact revenge from you. I pray to God Almighty to forgive you and forgive all of us and to make you a servant of Islam and Muslims everywhere. Praise be to God Almighty for God’s gifts!
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I'm very happy with this offer.
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Frankly, the Iraqi people now hate politics and politicians. I believe and can confirm that all Arab peoples hate politicians because they’ve become a burden on their peoples and inflicted woes on them.
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There is no doubt that the Saudi issue is now confusing and worrying. The measures taken by Saudi Arabia and the arrests of symbols of Saudi family are undoubtedly not acceptable in Saudi Arabia, the Arab world and the world. There is no doubt that there is rejection among international circles that has relations with the Kingdom and its ruler. All we hope is that God will guide those concerned.
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We want jobs.
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Is there judiciary in the Kingdom so the Prince may turn himself in? Stop dealing lightly with people’s minds. It’s not about corruption, but it’s about silencing those who are against the young prince. The Prince resorted to Iran because he saw that the injustice of family member is more painful. All that was said about Iran is defamation and lies.
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Your mother, father, and cousins are kinder and better than the Magi's robe.
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O, liars, you should be ashamed!
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