Saudi Arabia Saudi prince Alwaleed bin Talal released from detention Billionaire had been held in Riyadh’s Ritz-Carlton since November in corruption crackdownPrince Alwaleed bin Talal at the Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh, where he was held since 4 November. Photograph: ReutersThe Saudi prince Alwaleed bin Talal has been released after nearly three months in detention at a luxury hotel as part of an anti-corruption sweep. The prince was released on Saturday from the Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh, where he has been held since 4 November. “The attorney general has approved this morning the settlement that was reached with Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, and the prince returned home at 11am [0800 GMT],” the official told Reuters, without giving details of the terms. The detention of Alwaleed along with dozens of other senior officials and businessmen was part of the crown prince Mohammed bin Salman’s plan to reform the oil superpower Saudi Arabia and consolidate his position.

Source: The Guardian January 27, 2018 13:07 UTC