Saudi Ritz-Carlton 'luxury prison' shuts down, detainees released

Saudi Arabia has released all remaining detainees held at the five-star Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh, which served as a makeshift luxury jail following a sweeping Saudi corruption probe last November.

The three-month-old purge, which included dozens of top Saudi officials and businessmen and was used to seize $100 billion in assets, now appears to be drawing to a close.

It is unclear if any detainees of the corruption probe are being held at other facilities in Saudi Arabia, Reuters reported.

Last week, Saudi Arabia’s attorney general said most had agreed to settlements, 90 had been released without charge and 95 remained in custody. Some cases are expected to go trial.

Amongst the detainees was billionaire and MBC broadcaster owner Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who had earlier been released on Saturday – the prince had struck a financial settlement with Saudi authorities to secure his release.

The Ritz-Carlton has 492 guest rooms and 52 acres of landscaped gardens, according to its website.

The luxury hotel will reopen on 14 February, and rooms start at around $650 per night.