RIYADH: Saudi Arabian billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, detained in the kingdom’s sweeping crackdown on corruption, said on Saturday that he expected to be cleared of any wrongdoing and released from custody within days, with his vast assets intact.
Prince Alwaleed was speaking in an exclusive interview with Reuters at his suite in Riyadh’s Ritz-Carlton hotel, transformed into a luxurious prison to hold tycoons and royals.
He has been confined there for more than two months along with dozens of other suspects, part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s bold plan to consolidate control and reform oil superpower Saudi Arabia.
It was the first time the prince, one of the nation’s most prominent businessmen, has spoken publicly since his detention.
Prince Alwaleed said he was continuing to maintain his innocence of any corruption in talks with authorities. He said he expected to keep full control of his global investment firm Kingdom Holding Co. without being required to give up assets to the government.
’Misunderstanding’
He described his confinement as a misunderstanding and said he supports reform efforts by the crown prince, known as MbS.
Prince Alwaleed was an early advocate of women’s employment in Saudi Arabia and a lifting of the ban on women driving. In September, King Salman ordered that the restriction should be lifted next year.
“There are no charges. There are just some discussions between me and the government,” he said in the interview, conducted shortly after midnight. “I believe we are on the verge of finishing everything within days.”
Prince Alwaleed appeared grayer and thinner than in his last public appearance, a television interview in late October, and had grown a beard while in detention.
“I have nothing to hide at all. I’m so comfortable, I’m so relaxed. I shave here, like at home. My barber comes here. I’m like at home, frankly speaking,” he said.
“I told the government I’d stay as much as they want, because I want the truth to come out on all my dealings and on all things that are around me.”
The flamboyant prince, in his 60s, is the face of Saudi business for many foreigners, often appearing on international television covering his diverse investments and lifestyle.
A 30-minute interview, including a tour of his suite, was granted largely in order to disprove rumors of mistreatment and of being moved from the hotel to a prison.
Prince Alwaleed showed off the comforts of his gold-accented private office, dining room and kitchen, which was fully stocked with his preferred vegetarian meals.
In the corner of his office sat tennis shoes, which he said he used regularly for exercise. A television played business news programs, and a mug with an image of his own face on it was perched on the desk.
The release of Prince Alwaleed, whose net worth has been estimated by Forbes magazine at $17 billion, is likely to reassure investors in his global business empire as well as in the Saudi economy broadly.
Directly or indirectly through Kingdom Holding, he holds stakes in firms such as Twitter Inc. and Citigroup Inc. , and has invested in top hotels including the George V in Paris and the Plaza in New York.
Dozens of princes, senior officials and top businessmen were detained when Crown Prince Mohammed launched his purge in early November, shocking Saudis who never imagined the business elite or royalty could come under close scrutiny.
Allegations against Prince Alwaleed included money laundering, bribery and extorting officials, a Saudi official told Reuters at the time.
He is also known for his outspoken views on politics — making headlines in 2015 when he called Donald Trump a “disgrace” on Twitter during the US election campaign.
The prince said he was able to communicate with family members and executives at his business during his time in detention.
Asked why he ended up held in the hotel and became one of its longest-serving detainees, he said:
“There’s a misunderstanding and it’s being cleared. So I’d like to stay here until this thing is over completely and get out and life goes on.”
“We have now a new leadership in Saudi Arabia, and they just want to cross all the Ts and dot all the Is. And I said: ‘Fine, that’s fine with me, no problem at all. Just go ahead.’“
Authorities said they aimed to reach financial settlements with most suspects and believed they could raise some $100 billion for the government this way — a huge windfall for the state, which has seen its finances squeezed by low oil prices.
In recent days there have been signs the purge is winding down. Several other prominent businessmen, including Waleed Al-Ibrahim, owner of regional television network MBC, have been released, an official source told Reuters on Friday. Terms of any settlement were not revealed.
Prince Alwaleed said his own case was taking longer to conclude because he was determined to clear his name completely, but he believed the case was now 95 percent finished.
The prince said he was particularly upset by media reports that he had been sent to prison and tortured.
“It’s very unfortunate. I was planning to do an interview when I got out, which I think will be imminently.
“But I decided to accelerate the process and accept this interview today because these various rumors took place. They’re unacceptable completely. They are just a bunch of lies.”
After freedom, the prince said, he plans to continue living in Saudi Arabia and getting back to the high-paced and complex challenge of juggling his global interests.
“I will not leave Saudi Arabia, for sure. This is my country. I have my family, my children, my grandchildren here. I have my assets here. My allegiance is not on the table.”
Detained Saudi billionaire Alwaleed confident his troubles will end soon
Detained Saudi billionaire Alwaleed confident his troubles will end soon
King Salman issues royal decree to appoint investigative lieutenants at Public Prosecution
RIYADH: King Salman issued a royal decree on Saturday to appoint 261 investigative lieutenants at the Ministry of Justice’s Public Prosecution, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Attorney General Sheikh Saud bin Abdullah Al-Mujib thanked the king for the royal decree and said it reflected the support provided by the King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the ministry and its departments, SPA added.
Al-Mujib praised the commitment to advancing the development and prosperity of the justice ministry in alignment with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
Saudi foreign minister reaffirms support for Palestine at OIC forum in Gambia
- Prince Faisal also called for restructuring, developing, and reforming the OIC
BANJUL, The Gambia: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan reaffirmed on Saturday the Kingdom’s call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza, safe humanitarian corridors, and the fulfillment of Palestinians’ legitimate rights, including their right to self-determination and an independent state.
Prince Faisal, who was speciaking at the 15th Islamic Summit Conference in The Gambia, also called for restructuring, developing, and reforming the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to tackle regional and international challenges.
Representing Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, Prince Faisal led the Saudi delegation at the conference.
During his address, he expressed regret over the failure of the UN Security Council and the international community to halt Israeli attacks on Palestinians.
“The Palestinian cause has remained a priority for the OIC since its inception,” Prince Faisal said
“It is unfortunate to witness the failure of the Security Council and the international community to halt unprecedented Israeli attacks, which have escalated through indiscriminate shelling, destruction of hospitals, schools, shelters, and infrastructure in Gaza, leaving thousands of innocent civilians, including children, women, and the elderly, as victims,” he added.
On the sidelines of the forum, Prince Faisal met with the Iranian and Pakistani foreign ministers, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and Ishaq Dar respectively, to discuss the situation in Gaza.
Saudi Yoga Committee teams up with ministry for community wellness initiative
- As part of agreement between the committee and Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, workers will be encouraged to integrate yoga into daily routines
- Workers in ministry-run care centers and shelters will also get tools to help manage stress, improve focus, and enhance overall levels of physical and mental health
RIYADH: The Saudi Yoga Committee and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development on Saturday signed an agreement to collaborate on promoting the benefits of yoga in the community, with the aim of enhancing well-being and presenting the activity as a way to improve quality of life.
Under the agreement, officials said, employees will be encouraged to integrate yoga practices into their daily routines, and workers in ministry-run care centers and shelters will be provided with tools to help them manage stress, improve focus, and enhance overall levels of physical and mental health.
They added that the committee and the ministry are committed to creating harmonious and balanced workplaces that prioritize the holistic well-being of employees and people they work with, in line with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 national development plan.
Princess Mishael bint Faisal, the vice chair of the Saudi Yoga Committee, and Huda Al-Haidari, director of the ministry’s social responsibility department in Riyadh region, took part in the signing ceremony for the agreement.
“It’s a very important step for creating equal opportunities for all segments of society and investing in youth human capital, which is considered as one of the goals of Vision 2023,” said Princess Mishael.
“The crown prince said that it is the largest wealth owned by the Kingdom, so investing in it is a renaissance for society and the realization of the vision.”
The collaboration will offer people the chance to participate in a variety of sports and therapeutic yoga techniques and help harness the benefits of sports science to serve society, she added.
Kingdom mourns death of pioneering Saudi poet Prince Badr bin Abdul Mohsen
- The prince, affectionately known as the ‘word engineer’ and an influential figure in contemporary Saudi poetry, died in Paris at the age of 75
- Saudi and Arab officials and celebrities paid tribute to him and acknowledged his significant contributions to literature and culture
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia on Saturday mourned the loss of poet and national literary icon Prince Badr bin Abdul Mohsen, who died at the age of 75 in Paris after an illness.
The prince, affectionately known as the “word engineer,” was a legendary figure in contemporary Saudi poetry whose influence in the art form was felt across the country and the wider Gulf region, where his eloquent verses and poignant prose left an indelible mark on the people’s hearts and minds.
A pioneer in the popularization of Saudi poetry among Arab audiences, Prince Badr’s verses were immortalized in songs by many esteemed Arab artists, including Talal Maddah, Mohammed Abdu, Kadim Al-Sahir and Assala. His patriotic words and songs struck a deep chord with Saudis in particular, creating a strong bond between him and the people of his nation.
Saudi and Arab officials and celebrities expressed their sadness upon learning of the prince’s death on Saturday, and acknowledged his significant contributions to literature and culture.
Turki Al-Sheikh, chairperson of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, expressed his condolences to the royal family and the people of the Kingdom, describing the profound sense of loss as being similar to losing a father figure.
“May the soul of Prince Badr bin Abdul Mohsen rest in peace, and may he be granted the highest paradise,” he said. “My heartfelt condolences go out to his esteemed family, his children, and the people of Saudi Arabia.
“While this is indeed a sorrowful moment, feeling the loss akin to losing a father, I can only express gratitude to Allah in every circumstance.”
In a message posted on social media platform X, Saudi Minister of Commerce Majed Al-Qasabi wrote: “Today, our nation mourns the loss of a literary, poetic and cultural icon. May Allah bestow His mercy upon my dear brother, the ‘Word Engineer,’ Prince Badr bin Abdul Mohsen, and grant him the highest place in paradise. He will always hold a special place in my heart.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the royal family, his children, and all who loved him. May the Almighty grant them patience and comfort during this difficult time. Indeed, we belong to Allah, and to Him we shall return.”
Ameerah Al-Taweel, a prominent Saudi philanthropist, paid tribute to Prince Badr and his legacy, highlighting in particular his role as a beacon of wisdom and generosity, his invaluable contributions to Saudi culture, and his enduring influence on future generations.
“Today, we bid farewell to our prince and trailblazer of words, Prince Badr bin Abdul Mohsen,” she said. “May patience and solace comfort his children, family and all who cherished him. In this transient life, we leave behind our deeds and the essence of our character.
“Prince Badr not only enriched our culture but also imparted invaluable lessons in nobility, humility and generosity to future generations. Although many of us never met him, we held him dear as a father and brother.
“His departure evokes the sorrow of losing a close relative, for his noble character leaves an indelible mark. The grief is profound, especially for those who were privileged to know him personally.”
Renowned Emirati singer Ahlam expressed her sense of sorrow, and said she prayed for peace for the prince’s soul and strength for his loved ones during this difficult time.
Prince Badr was born on April 2, 1949, and his journey as a poet and cultural figure began at a young age. He studied in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UK and the US as he took his early steps on the path to becoming a significant figure in Arab literature.
As president of the Saudi Society for Culture and Arts, he played a crucial role in fostering artistic expression and influencing the development of poetry organizations in the Kingdom. In recognition of his outstanding contributions in the field, King Salman honored Prince Badr with the prestigious King Abdulaziz Medal in 2019.
Soon after, the Kingdom’s Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission announced plans to collect and publish his complete literary works to commemorate his enduring legacy and celebrate the profound impact he had on the Saudi creative movement during a five-decade career.
Green cover in Imam Turki Royal Reserve grows to 8.5%
RIYADH: Green cover in the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve has grown to 8.5 percent, the reserve’s development authority has said, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Covering an area of 91,000 sq. km, the reserve is located in the northeastern part of the Kingdom. It is a popular destination for visitors, particularly people interested in eco-tourism, bird watching, hiking and similar activities.
Based on research and field studies, the authority said that the reserve has experienced significant plant growth since last spring, driven by improved air quality and reduced severity of dust storms in several central regions of the Kingdom.
The reserve has planted more than 600,000 trees through desert forestation projects, in line with the national targets of the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to plant more than 600 million trees by 2030, the SPA reported.
The reserve authority’s efforts focus on protecting wildlife, restoring environmental balance and reviving vegetation cover. The rate of green cover across the reserve has grown from 1.4 percent in 2018 to the 8.5 percent recorded this year.
More than 180 plant species from 38 plant families have been identified in the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve, representing 7.5 percent of the total plant species in the Kingdom, according to the SPA.
The reserve also offers cultural experiences, allowing visitors to interact with the local Bedouin communities, learn about their traditional way of life and enjoy authentic cuisine.
It is one of six royal reserves in Saudi Arabia, established in 2018 by royal order. Within the reserve, there are villages and deserts where about 80,000 to 100,000 people reside.
