Saudi Arabia: King Salman battles bladder inflammation, hospitalized in Riyadh

King Salman bin Abdulazi, 84, Ruler of the Saudi Kingdom and the custodian of Islam’s holiest sites, was on Monday July 20, 2020, hospitalized in Riyadh after suffering from inflammation of the gall bladder, and is currently undergoing medical checks.

Before ascending the throne, King Salman was a crown prince for about 2 years and also served as deputy premier in June 2012.

Mohammed bin Salman, next in line to the thrown, has introduced various economic reforms in the Kingdom.

He is famous for his move to diversify the Kingdom’s economy. He has been praised for easing social restrictions in the Kingdom and for his spirit of liberal government as he recognizes more right for women.

However, recent statewide crackdown on dissent in the Kingdom and media control now in the hand of the government seems to throw a peck of dirt on the crown prince’s reforms.

Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist, killed in 2018 at the hand of Saudi security personnel considered close to the crown prince also seems to be a big stain on the crown prince’s prestige.

Similarly, the prince reform has also heavily targeted top royals and businessmen facing corruption charges, and the move does not seem to settle well with many Western investors.