The richest man in the Middle East has been released from house arrest in Saudi Arabia — see the luxurious Ritz Carlton where he was held captive for months

• Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered at least 11 princes — along with numerous ministers — to be arrested in November.

• Billionaire Alwaleed bin Talal, the richest man in the Middle East, according to Forbes, was among them.

• The prisoners are currently being held in the five-star Ritz-Carlton Riyadh in Saudi Arabia's capital city.

• Prince Alwaleed was released from custody Saturday, and told Reuters that he hasn't been charged with a crime following his months-long detention.

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The unusual captivity of the richest man in the Middle East has come to a close.

Billionaire Alwaleed bin Talal was freed Saturday, NPR reported. He'd been a prisoner in the five-star Ritz-Carlton Riyadh since November 4, 2017, when Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman consolidated power by having 11 princes and numerous government ministers seized.

These captives received better accommodations than a standard prison cell. The royal and non-royal prisoners were reportedly confined to the luxury hotel in the nation's capital.

Prince Alwaleed even saw his fortune increase by $1 billion in the wake of his release, CNN reported. Forbes now puts his net worth at $18.3 billion.

The billionaire gave Reuters an interview in the suite where he'd been held for months. He said he was upset about the rumors that he was held in a standard jail and tortured. He said his arrest resulted through a "misunderstanding," and added that he spent his captivity watching the news, taking walks, swimming, and exercising.

"It's no problem at all," he said. "Everything's fine."

Here's a look at the luxury hotel before it was converted into an makeshift prison months ago:

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The hotel first opened in 2011 and was the first ever Ritz-Carlton in Saudi Arabia.

Source: Five Star Alliance

It boasts 493 guest rooms, including 49 two-bedroom royal suites and 50 one-bedroom executive suites.

Source: Five Star Alliance

Amenities include a male-only spa, 62,000 square feet of event space, and a bowling alley.

Source: The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh, The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh, The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

source http://www.businessinsider.com/saudi-arabia-princes-ritz-carlton-prisoners-2017-11