NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    More
    In the news
    Joe Biden
    United States of America
    COVID-19
    Russia-Ukraine crisis
    NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    NewsBytes
    User Placeholder

    Hi,

    Logout


    India Business World Politics Sports Technology Entertainment Auto Lifestyle Inspirational Career Bengaluru Delhi Mumbai Visual Stories Find Cricket Statistics Phones Reviews Fitness Bands Reviews Speakers Reviews

    Download Android App

    Follow us on
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
     
    Home / News / World News / When Riyadh's Hotel Ritz became a five-star prison
    World

    When Riyadh's Hotel Ritz became a five-star prison

    When Riyadh's Hotel Ritz became a five-star prison
    Written by Sneha Bengani
    Nov 30, 2017, 12:45 am 3 min read
    When Riyadh's Hotel Ritz became a five-star prison
    Credits

    Riyadh's world-famous luxurious Ritz-Carlton hotel is now a detention centre. Since the November 4 crackdown, it's been home to 201 Saudi elite, including at least 11 princes, all accused of corruption, money laundering and power abuse. Some of the most powerful have been held captive, albeit in a palatial hotel, but against their will. Here's a glimpse of their lives inside the gilded prison.

    Crown Prince Salman's way of tackling corruption in Saudi Arabia

    It is Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's way of tackling the rampant corruption in the country. Instead of jailing the suspects, dragging them to court or publicly shaming them, which could have led to a massive social, political and economic upheaval, Prince Salman has detained them in a five-star hotel, kept their names a secret, and is encouraging out-of-court settlements.

    Detainees have agreed to surrender illegal wealth for freedom

    According to the BBC, 95% of those detained at Ritz-Carlton have agreed to an out-of-court settlement, which means they will have to surrender significant amounts of their wealth (an estimated total of $800 billion) to the Saudi treasury in exchange for their freedom. About 1,900 bank accounts of the suspects and their family members have been frozen so far as part of the exercise.

    Shock, disbelief, anger among Ritz's special guests

    Most of the 201 of Ritz's "special guests" couldn't believe it when they were first detained. They took it to be a temporary show which they thought would fizzle out only too soon. But it didn't. Of course, they were angry. It's not every day that the VIPs of a rich nation are called out as thieves and holed up together, lest they escape.

    A pre-investigation, a friendly process

    A team under Prince Salman has reportedly been compiling alleged evidence against the suspects since the last two years. The investigative team began hunting once the royal decree sanctioned the formation of a new anti-corruption committee. This crackdown is reportedly a pre-investigation, a supposedly friendly process, in which people are just being asked to return the money they have wrongfully amassed over the years.

    Life behind closed doors

    Wanting to avoid meeting others, most inmates stay holed up inside their rooms, trying to find a way out of captivity. With all the luxuries of a five-star hotel, they also have a health centre with round-the-clock professional assistance. Inmates can even order special medicines from their homes. However, with their smartphones taken away, the detainees can make calls only from their room numbers.

    Share this timeline
    Facebook
    Whatsapp
    Twitter
    Linkedin
    Latest
    Saudi Arabia
    Riyadh
    Mohammed Bin Salman

    Latest

    IPL 2023, PBKS overcome KKR via DLS method: Key stats Punjab Kings (PBKS)
    Reasons you should watch Jennifer Aniston-Adam Sandler's 'Murder Mystery 2' Adam Sandler
    Tamil actor-producer RK Suresh linked to Aarudhra Gold Trading scam Tamil Nadu
    IPL 2023, LSG vs DC: David Warner opts to bowl David Warner

    Saudi Arabia

    20 Hajj pilgrims killed in bus accident in Saudi Arabia Mecca
    Ramzan 2023: 5 series to watch this holy month Ramzan
    What is so special about these futuristic, ultra-modern cities Lifestyle
    Saudi Arabia to soon send first woman astronaut to space International Space Station (ISS)

    Riyadh

    In conservative Saudi, youngsters are taking the 'risk' of dating Twitter
    WWE Crown Jewel 2019: Analyzing the major takeaways Saudi Arabia
    Snubbing Pakistan, Saudi Arabia says it "understands" India's J&K move India
    Saudi authorities strip US-Saudi doctor, torture him with electric shocks Mohammed Bin Salman

    Mohammed Bin Salman

    Anti-kingdom tweets: Saudi Arabia jails US citizen for 16 years Saudi Arabia
    Saudi Arabia: Huge gold, copper deposits discovered in Medina city Saudi Arabia
    Meet the women DJs making Saudis groove to their beats Islam
    You're to blame for Khashoggi's murder: Biden tells Saudi prince Saudi Arabia

    Love World News?

    Subscribe to stay updated.

    World Thumbnail
    Indian Premier League (IPL) Celebrity Hollywood Bollywood UEFA Champions League Tennis Football Smartphones Cryptocurrency Upcoming Movies Premier League Cricket News Latest automobiles Latest Cars Upcoming Cars Latest Bikes Upcoming Tablets
    About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive Download DevBytes Find Cricket Statistics
    Follow us on
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin
    All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2023