ISLAMABAD: Saudi princes and businessman arrested on orders of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are being strung up by their feet and beaten by American private security contractors, claims a news report published in Daily Mail. At least 11 princes and hundreds of businessmen and government officials were detained in Saudi Arabia over claims of corruption. The news report said that detained individuals went through rigorous 'interrogations', which were being carried out by American mercenaries, ‘Blackwater.’ “They are beating them, torturing them, slapping them, insulting them. They want to break them down,” a source told DailyMail.com. According to the source, the name 'Blackwater' is being circulated as providing the mercenaries. The controversial private security company, however, no longer exists under that name and is now Academi. A spokesperson for Constellis, Academi's parent company, denied the claims. The spokesperson claims that it has no presence in Saudi Arabia and does not carry out interrogations. "Constellis through Academi does not now or have we ever provided interrogative services," they said. “We do not provide security services in KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), we have no contact or connection with any government official or private party regarding this allegation.” When asked if Academi workers were involved in any kind of violence during these interrogations, the spokesperson said: "No. Academi has no presence in KSA. We do not have interrogators, nor do we provide any interrogators, advisers or other similar services." They added: "Academi does not participate in interrogative services for any government or private customer. Academi has a zero-tolerance policy for violence. We operate legally, morally, ethically and in compliance with local and US laws."
