Exclusive - Saudi Arabia prepares to auction detained billionaire's real estate, cars: sources

FILE PHOTO: Maan al-Sanea, the owner of Saudi business Saad Group and Saad Specialist Hospital, meets with Prince Andrew, a member of the British royal family, Saudi Arabia, March 12, 2007. Michael Harris/Handout via REUTERS

DUBAI/KHOBAR, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) - Saudi authorities are preparing to auction billions of dollars of real estate and cars belonging to billionaire Maan al-Sanea and his company as they look to hasten an end to one of the kingdom's longest-running debt disputes.

The planned sale is the latest signal that Saudi Arabia is serious about holding its elites to account. In an anti-corruption crackdown last November, authorities detained scores of senior officials on charges of alleged graft. Most have been released after being exonerated or agreeing to give the state money, assets or real estate.