Saudi's Ritz-Carlton used as prison in anti-corruption probe will reopen

RIYADH, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- The luxury hotel Ritz-Carlton in Saudi Arabia's capital will re-open next week after it was used as a makeshift jail for hundreds of celebrities during an anti-corruption probe.

The Ritz-Carlton's website showed on Sunday that it will accept reservations beginning Feb. 11, with room prices starting from 664 U.S. dollars per night.

The hotel in Riyadh with around 500 rooms and suites was closed for about three months since Saudi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched the unprecedented investigation against corruption on Nov. 4.

More than 300 princes, ministers and businessmen were held in the five-star accommodation. Among them was billionaire Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, dubbed the Warren Buffet of Saudi Arabia.

A total of 56 individuals are still detained but have been moved to other places, while another 90 people have been released after agreeing to "financial settlements."

The estimated value of settlements stands at more than 106 billion dollars in various types of assets, including real estate, commercial entities, securities and cash.

Saudi Arabia announced last week the end of the settlement stage in the largest anti-corruption campaign in the modern history of the kingdom. Enditem