Saudi Arabia releases Jordan’s top businessman

One of Jordan’s most influential businessmen, Sabih al-Masri, was released by the Saudi authorities after having been detained last Thursday, according to Reuters. No charges were brought against him. The Palestinian-born billionaire, who has vast investments in Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Palestine, told the agency that he had returned to his home in Riyadh, adding that he plans to depart for the Jordanian capital Amman soon. Masri, who reportedly holds both Saudi and Jordanian citizenship, was detained for questioning about “information related to corruption,” according to the Rai al-Youm website. Hundreds of Saudi princes, ministers and businessmen were arrested in a massive anti-corruption purge of the kingdom in November.