Bakr bin Laden
Bakr bin Mohammed bin 'Awad bin Laden | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1946 Saudi Arabia |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Chairman of Saudi Binladin Group |
Bakr bin Mohammed bin 'Awad bin Laden (; born in 1946) served as the chairman of the Jeddah-headquartered Saudi Binladin Group and was its principal shareholder, owning 23.58% of the company. He is the son of the group's founder, Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden, and is a half-sibling of Osama bin Laden.
Education
Bakr bin Laden pursued his studies at the University of Miami School of Business located in Coral Gables, Florida.
Career
During Bakr bin Laden's tenure as leader, Saudi Binladin Group experienced notable growth despite the limited size of the construction industry within the Arabian Peninsula. The company formed a joint venture with Qatari Diar, a real estate firm based in Doha, establishing a holding company backed by significant capital resources. This partnership comprises two main entities: one dedicated to managing major contracting and construction initiatives both within Qatar and internationally. Additionally, the group is bidding on a $994.6 million project to develop 30 plots in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District.
In April 2018, while under detention by Saudi authorities, Bakr relinquished his investment holdings in Saudi Binladin Group to the government.
Arrest
Bakr bin Laden was apprehended on 4 November 2017 amid a Saudi anti-corruption campaign orchestrated by a royal committee, resulting in his detention without formal charges. Initially confined at Riyadh’s Ritz-Carlton hotel, he was subsequently transferred to an undisclosed location. Authorities also confiscated one of his villas overlooking the Red Sea.
In January 2019, Bakr was freed along with other high-profile detainees such as businessman Mohammed Hussein Al Amoudi and former government official Amr Dabbagh. His release came after international scrutiny and pressure on Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman following the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
See also
External links
- Bakr Mohammed bin Laden at History Commons
- "Saudi releases Bin Laden construction tycoon detained in 2017 corruption sweep", Reuters, May 13, 2021