One of the Mideast's Richest Men Is Among Freed Saudi Detainees

Al Amoudi is among several released after Saudi crackdown
Crown prince jailed hundreds in 2017 citing corruption purge

Ritz Carlton Hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Photographer: Javier Blas/Bloomberg

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By Nizar Manek and Vivian Nereim

January 27, 2019 at 4:11 PM UTC

Updated on

January 28, 2019 at 5:55 AM UTC

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Saudi-Ethiopian billionaire Mohammed Al Amoudi was released more than a year after his arrest in what authorities said was a crackdown on corruption, becoming the latest detainee to be freed under mysterious circumstances.

Al Amoudi was let go after Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed raised his case during a visit to Saudi Arabia last year, the premier’s office said. A Saudi official said in December that Al Amoudi was charged with corruption and would face trial.