Erik Ohlsson: the Release may have cost Al-Amoudi billion

Saudi arabia's international reputation has skamfilats properly the last time. The murder of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi the saudi consulate in Istanbul in October last year cost a lot more in imageförlust than what the royal family expected.

To seize the rich men – as Mohammed Al-Amoudi and force them to pay, although given the saudi treasury a considerable addition. But at the same time, it has been taken over by foreign investors reluctant to do business in saudi Arabia. It is likely, therefore, Al-Amoudi is released.

It has not levelled any charges against Al-Amoudi from the official saudiskt hold. International business press speculates that he is accused of bribery and/or skattefiffel.

None of the over 300 businessmen and royalty who have been incarcerated at the Ritz-Carlton, and then released has stated a few sums.

But Alwaleed bin Talal, who owns one of the world's largest investment company, Kingdom Holding, and was imprisoned at the luxury hotel in 83 days (Mohammed Al-Amoudi was detained for over 400 days), had to pay six billion dollars (approximately 55 billion sek) for the free passage, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Al-Amoudis international spokesman to make a statement shortly. But probably will most of the details surrounding the detention, the conditions under arresttiden and the conditions for the release to be kept secret.

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