Saudi Arabia Says Detainees Handed Over More Than $100 Billion
The release of many of the detainees appeared to signal the wrapping up of the two-and-a-half-month campaign, in which some of the kingdom’s richest
and most powerful men were locked in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, where the authorities pressed them to hand over assets said to have been stolen from the state.
Many were brought in as witnesses, while others were accused of corruption
and released only after handing over significant assets to the government, the statement said.
But the statement released Tuesday said the government had claimed about 400 billion Saudi riyals, or $106.6 billion, so far.
Some cases have been referred to the public prosecutor, who ordered the release of any remaining detainees against whom there was not sufficient evidence, as well as those who admitted guilt
and agreed to settlements with the government, according to the statement.
30, 2018
BEIRUT, Lebanon — Saudi Arabia has collected more than $100 billion from prominent citizens who were detained
in what the government has called a widespread crackdown on corruption, the kingdom said on Tuesday.
The detainees included businessmen, current and former government ministers,
and at least 11 princes, including Alwaleed bin Talal, the kingdom’s most famous investor, who was released on Saturday.