Detained Saudi prince Alwaleed bin Talal expects release 'within days'

Detained Saudi prince and business tycoon Alwaleed bin Talal has said he expects to be released and cleared of all wrongdoing within days.

In an exclusive interview with Reuters from his suite at the Ritz Carlton hotel in Riyadh where he is being held, the  prince maintained his innocence and claimed he is being treated well.

According to the billionnaire prince, the interview was granted in order to dispel rumours of mistreatment by Saudi authorities.

Bin Talal also said he expects to retain full control of his global investment firm, Kingdom Holding, amid speculation that he may be forced to give up the lucrative firm.

Earlier reports had suggested that he was preparing to cough up a cash settlement in return for his freedom, although the reported breakdown of those talks led to suggestions that he may he put on trial.

A Saudi infographic shared on social media said that detainees who have not agreed on financial settlements to close their case will soon be referred to the Public Prosecution.

Bin Talal, a prominent member of the Saudi royal family, is one of several dozen detainees swept up in Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman's anti-corruption drive launched in November.

He has a net worth, estimated by Forbes magazine, of $17 billion, and owns shares in Citigroup, Twitter, ride-hailing firm Lyft and Time Warner.

Some of the detainees have already secured their freedom through cash settlements, which Saudi authorities say will help finance a 50 billion royal ($13.3 billion) package to help citizens cope with the rising cost of living.

On Friday, it was reported that several detained businessmen had secured their release through financial settlements, including MBC television network owner Waleed al-Ibrahim.

The anti-corruption crackdown has been labelled by critics as a power grab and a shakedown of the kingdom's business and political elite.

In November, the heir to the throne, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, launched a wide-ranging crackdown on dozens of elites, ostensibly to tackle corruption. Critics say it was also a way of consolidating his grip on power.

Most of those detained have struck monetary settlements in exchange for their freedom.

The anti-corruption crackdown, however, has been labelled by critics as a power grab and a shakedown of the kingdom's business and political elite.