(MENAFN) 11 princes have been detained by Saudi authorities after they gathered at a royal palace in Riyadh in an infrequent protest against austerity procedures that involved suspending payment of their utility bills, Saudi media reported on Saturday.

The princes gathered at the Qasr a-Hokm, a historic royal palace, challenging the cancellation of a royal decree that stopped state payment of water and electricity bills for royal family members as well as demanding recompense for a death sentence issued against a relative, Sabq.org said.

While they were held at the five-star Ritz Hotel in the capital Riyadh, government officials negotiated financial settlements.

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