Saudi 'purge': Luxurious Ritz-Carlton turned into royal prison
The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh luxury hotel has temporarily became a prison for many Saudi royals held for corruption by the Saudi authorities. Photo: Ritz Carlton website
(Web Desk) – Situated in the heart of the Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh, Ritz-Carlton an upmarket chain is a home away from home for many Presidents, prime ministers and royalty visiting the country.
But according to media sources the royal luxury hotel has become a gilded cage for many arrested Saudi Royals.
According to BBC, only a few months after hosting US President Donald Trump on his first foreign trip as head of state, countless prominent Saudis are said to be guests of the government – and the hotel is being dubbed the world’s most luxurious prison.
The luxurious hotel was built 6 years ago and has housed countless foreign diplomats, presidents, and prime ministers during their trips to Saudi Arabia. Photo: The Ritz-Carlton website
Eleven princes, four ministers and many more have been swept up in what the Saudi authorities describe as an anti-corruption purge in the ultra-conservative kingdom.
Internationally-known billionaire businessman Prince Alwaleed bin Talal is reported to be among those held in captivity.
The New York Times recently published a short video clip that appears to show the new role of the Ritz-Carlton Riyadh.
According to NY Times, the video which appeared to be from one of the Ballrooms of the hotel showed guards and weapons of American standard. Photo: NY Times
In the video, people - possibly guards - can be seen lying on floor mattress covered with brightly coloured blankets in what appears to be one of the hotel’s ballrooms. Uniformed men are also visible, while a modern military-style rifle stands against a wall.
The Guardian reports that paying guests at the hotel were told late on Saturday evening that they should assemble in the lobby with their luggage, before being transported to other hotels in the Saudi capital.
It quotes a senior Saudi official as saying the authorities could not have put the people involved in a jail, and this was "the most dignified solution" available.
Attempts to make a future booking at the hotel on Tuesday proved - perhaps not surprisingly - a fruitless exercise.
According to BBC, The Ritz Carlton Riyadh’s website shows that there are no rooms available in November, but at one point it did suggest that a double room could be booked for a few days from mid-December.
However, this window soon disappeared and this particular branch of the luxury travel accommodation empire appears to be closed to new business for the foreseeable future.
