Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal 'released' after two months in Ritz-Carlton prison
Investor is the most high-profile figure of more than 200 detained as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's corruption purge
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.One of the world’s richest men, Saudi Arabia’s Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, has been released from detention at Riyadh’s Ritz-Carlton hotel where he was held as part of the Kingdom’s sweeping anti-corruption crackdown.
The 62-year-old prince was the most well-known of the more than 200 royal figures, politicians and business leaders taken into custody last November in a move widely viewed as part of new crown prince Mohammed bin Salman’s efforts to consolidate his power.
The family of the multi-billionaire, who has holdings in global companies such as Twitter, Apple and Citigroup, confirmed his release on Saturday.
In an interview with Reuters the previous evening, the $17bn (£13bn) prince said, while drinking from a mug bearing his own image, that he was confident he would be cleared of wrongdoing and released soon.
Rumours have been swirling in Saudi Arabia that Prince Talal, like another high-profile detainee, Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, was trying to secure his release with a payment to the House of Saud of $1bn (£750m).
The exact circumstances and terms of his freedom are not clear. A Saudi official said he was freed after a financial settlement was approved by the state prosecutor.
Two months after the unprecedented crackdown, many of those arrested have been released after making similar financial settlements and giving up assets such as palaces and company shares.
The Kingdom’s attorney general has said the purge stands to put $100bn (£76bn) lost through decades of embezzlement and corruption back into state coffers.
The Ritz-Carlton is due to reopen 14 February. Those remaining in the hotel by that date are expected to be relocated to prison to await trial.
News agencies contributed to this report
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments