Saudi Arabia Releases Detainees Held in Corruption Probe

Saudi Arabia’s authorities have released a number of detained royals allegedly involved in corruption in public office. The move came after a settlement was agreed with the suspects, the daily Okaz reported yesterday.

The pro-government newspaper added that the detainees, who had been held in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh, included a serving minister and a former head of a major company. It did not disclose any names.

The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Riyadh has demanded at least $6 billion from Prince Al-Waleed Bin Talal as a condition for his release. The amount being demanded is among the highest sought for those who have been detained, the newspaper noted, citing sources close to the case.

The Saudi authorities had been working on striking agreements with some of those in detention, asking them to hand over assets and cash in return for their freedom.

Read full article on the Middle East Monitor, December 25, 2017.