A new Saudi anti-corruption committee has detained 11 princes, four sitting ministers and dozens of former ministers.

The committee is headed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

According to Dubai-based Saudi broadcaster Al-Arabiya, the committee has announced fresh investigations into the 2009 Jeddah floods and the outbreak of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus, which emerged in Saudi Arabia in 2012.

The committee has been given the authority to investigate, arrest, ban from travel, disclose and freeze accounts and portfolios, track funds and assets of individuals involved in corruption, said the state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

SPA also reported that Saudi Economy and Planning Minister Adel bin Mohammed Faqih and National Guard Minister Prince Miteb bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz were sacked.

The government said the anti-corruption committee has the right to issue arrest warrants, impose travel restrictions and freeze bank accounts. It can also trace funds, prevent the transfer of funds or the liquidation of assets and take other precautionary measures until cases are referred to the judiciary.  -- ANI

IMAGE: Saudi King Salman, left, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Photograph: Saudi Press Agency/Reuters