Riyadh’s Ritz-Carlton no longer a ‘prison’

RIYADH: The Ritz-Carlton, here, reopened for business yesterday, three months after it became a holding place for princes and ministers detained in the biggest anti-graft purge of the kingdom’s elite in its modern history.

The luxury hotel had been closed for business since the unprecedented probe was launched on November 4 by Crown Prince Mohammed Salman.

Many of the high-profile suspects, including billionaire Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal — dubbed the Warren Buffett of Saudi Arabia — have been released in recent weeks in ex- change for what officials have dubbed financial settlements.

Attorney-general Sheikh Saud al-Mojeb said last month after completing inquiries into 381 high-profile corruption suspects, he would keep 56 in custody and free the rest. It was unclear if the remaining suspects had been moved to another facility.

Settlements with the suspects topped US$107 billion (RM421.57 billion) in various forms of assets handed over, including property, securities and cash, he said.

Another high-profile detainee, former National Guard chief Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, was released following a settlement with the authorities that reportedly exceeded US$1 billion.

Prince Mohammed has spearheaded the crackdown on corruption among members of the government and royal family over the past three months.

Some critics have labelled Prince Mohammed’s campaign a shakedown and power grab, but authorities insist the purge targeted endemic corruption as the country prepares for a post-oil era.

The five-star hotel was originally built to house guests of the royal family.