RIYADH, Jan 29, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - The head of a tourism and heritage project 
meant to help establish Saudi Arabia as a global arts hub has been arrested 
on suspicion of money laundering, authorities announced late Sunday.

Amr bin Saleh Abdulrahman AlMadani, chief executive of the Royal Commission 
for AlUla in the northwestern Medina region, "was arrested for his 
involvement in crimes of abuse of authority and money laundering", the 
official anti-corruption authority said in a statement.

Both before and after he assumed his position, AlMadani was allegedly 
involved in illegally obtaining contracts for a separate company in which he 
has an ownership stake, the statement said, putting the value of the 
contracts at around 207 million Saudi riyals ($55 million).

"Legal procedures are currently being taken against the detainees for 
prosecution in a court of law, in line with the laws and regulations," the 
statement said.

The website for the Royal Commission of AlUla on Monday did not refer to 
AlMadani and instead listed Abeer AlAkel as acting CEO.

AlUla is home to the Hegra archaeological site, a UNESCO World Heritage site 
famed for its ancient Nabataean tombs dotted amid sandstone mountains and 
wadis.

In recent years authorities have pushed to establish it as a top-tier arts 
destination, part of a broader push to turn Saudi Arabia into a tourism hub 
as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 reform agenda.

The area now boasts luxury eco-resorts and a posh theatre covered in mirrored 
panels that has seen performances by the likes of Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys 
and Andrea Bocelli. 

Beginning next month, it will host the latest iteration of Desert X, billed 
as "a recurring and temporary, site-responsive, international open-air art 
exhibition".
 
Prince Mohammed vowed to curb corruption shortly after he became first in 
line to the throne in 2017, overseeing the detention of some 200 princes and 
businessmen in Riyadh's Ritz-Carlton hotel in a crackdown that tightened his 
grip on power.