Saudi billionaire’s yacht too big for Latchi harbour

By James Short Published on July 31, 2010

A SAUDI Arabian royal billionaire is currently holidaying in Latchi, with police taking special measures to protect him and his entourage.

Prince Al Waleed bin Talal - 19th richest man in the world, is visiting Cyprus on his 90-metre long luxury yacht, which is far too large for Latchi’s tiny marina to accommodate.

Local police confirmed that they are aware of the royal visit and have taken precautions to safeguard him. Speaking last night, a representative for Latchi police said: “Of course we are protecting him. We don’t let people go too close to him, He is swimming with his partner at the moment.”

The spokesman also confirmed that police boats are being used to cordon off the area around the yacht, which has been just offshore since Wednesday night, according to Phileleftheros.

A local business owner told the Cyprus Mail: “A special jetty had to be built on the beach; he’s using a 32-foot (10-metre) boat to get to and from the yacht, as well as a helicopter.” He also verified that “the police are watching, and a lot of private security. They’re stopping anyone from going near the boat.”

The business owner also spoke of the need for the government to prepare Cyprus to cope with such high end, large scale tourism. “We should have marina facilities available for these huge yachts – it’s a great thing for Cyprus, especially now.”

Rumours published in Phileleftheros that Prince Al Waleed, 55, is occupying the Anassa Hotel remain unconfirmed, with hotel management declining to speak on the matter. An anonymous Latchi resident said he believed the Prince and his entourage to be staying in the hotel - reserving 30-35 rooms and suites – and using their private helicopter to commute from the yacht. He reportedly has an entourage of 40 people with him to celebrate his birthday, which was in March.

It is believed that the prince has requested his visit to be as low key as possible, wanting to visit Cyprus unofficially as a tourist. No contact is thought to have been made between his representatives and officials, though there is a possibility unofficial contact has been made with Cypriot high society, amid rumours he is set to invest in the tourism industry on the island.

Mon, August 2nd 2010 at 10:35

Roy from Cyprus comments:

I believe the Prince is visiting the President today and has booked the whole wing of Anassa.

There is no way this is a holiday visit!

Bearing in mind that Prince Al-Waleed Bin Talal Al-Saud has acquired 47 five star hotel resorts in Eastern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East already this year, why would he want to stay at our tiny little island.

My best guess is that he is scouting out Anassa www.anassa.com.cy one of the Thanos Group of Hotels that includes the Almyra and Annabelle hotels in Paphos in order to purchase it.

It is by far the most luxurious hotel in Cyprus and the Prince never does things by halves.

Watch this space?

Mon, August 2nd 2010 at 02:16

James JH lockhart comments:

mark,

they Estimate just ONE BILLION a month A month Dirty money comes from the former CIS !! remember the Spy Scandal using cypriot bank Accounts,

Plus the Serbians ????

I feel sorry for the Saudi Prince, The scam and Skimming Will Start they WILL NOT TOUCH HIM BUT GO FOR THE PEOPLE HE BRINGS IN.

iT CALLED vALUES IN CYPRUS ????

Mon, August 2nd 2010 at 02:02

Mark comments:

Who are those people,that came to Cyprus with lot of money and were given Cypriot passports? I heard they opened American fast food places all over the island and are involved in entertainment business also?I heard they are also from middle east.

Mon, August 2nd 2010 at 00:25

James JH lockhart comments:

I suppose they be Floating out property developer brochures With lawyers business cards out to the yacht !!!!

Sun, August 1st 2010 at 20:37

Gandolph comments:

Al.

Your posting;
"All those who do not like living here deserve to live where they originally came from, and should do that ASAP"

I'm afraid the problem with that statement is that many would actually wish to do exactly that. The trouble is that because the Cypriot government continue to allow developers to remortgage someone elses property, those people are unable to sell up and move. They are, in effect, trapped. But all this will eventually be made very public when the EU take Cyprus to the ECHR. No doubt the powers that be will try to blame everyone else but it will be interesting when Christofias tries to take his place as the president of the EU in 2012 amid a lot of banner waving people who 'want to live where they came from'.

Sun, August 1st 2010 at 18:13

Loriot comments:

"a tourist attraction of Saudi Princes" - very funny!
Why a reclusive Saudi prince should be attractive for tourists who will never see him will remain Val's secret, but some people are easy to please, at least Val!

Sun, August 1st 2010 at 10:31

James JH lockhart comments:

Mark,

To the ROC Rusfeti I am a the person WHo Exposed Paphos lawyers Papazchrais & Korakide (They hold Five Positions in the CBA) In Court Korakide Even ran Away.

Under Rusfeti Law You are not Allowed to Embarras and Show these Crooks Ups, Any Police Investigation Would Reveal Just how much they are up to. (Papazchrais very frendly to Russians)

So the AG/New Police Chief Down, Take the Position Best be Silent and So What about me and my Family they are only Foregners.

And the ROC is A EU COUNTRY !!!

Sun, August 1st 2010 at 04:10

Mark comments:

James why you don't talk to BBC news or some other news organizaton about what happened to you. I know that Russians never get scamed, that buy properties in Cyprus,but it happens to lot of British that want to retire or live on the island. It seems that Cyprus has their own laws, I was told that also once.

Sun, August 1st 2010 at 02:11

James JH lockhart comments:

Mark,

The ROC way to deal with the Truth is Silence You see it is a EU Country !!!

Sun, August 1st 2010 at 02:06

Mark comments:

I guess the truth is more dangerous than the lie....

Sun, August 1st 2010 at 01:48

James JH lockhart comments:

Val,

Silence now on the Gossip bit, Oh and there Also Witnesses to it, Off Course Since then they have been threatened, can Even name Some of the officers Doing the Threats.

DC Andy Germanos, DC Maximuss, Actually Would not be Surprised if its not the Squad that Did the Tombs bar in paphos then get Nice meals next Door from the Chinky

Well This is a EU COUNTRY !!!

Sun, August 1st 2010 at 01:46

Al comments:

Val,

All those who do not like living here deserve to live where they originally came from, and should do that ASAP!

Sun, August 1st 2010 at 01:19

James JH lockhart comments:

Val

Its not gossip Actual EU Petitions 0/696 You find it, Also if you Check With the Cyprus Ombudswoman You find She ran into the Same Answers from the Chief of police, he Actually Went one better describing His investigation describing me As a man Separated from His children !!!!

This produced the best laughter even from the Attorney Generals office Who had told him to reveal the officer name.

You see I am a Single parent bringing up my Son, But As you now Papacostas resigned With the KITAS Scandal And the New Chief, and Even his new Squad of Untouchables to Investigate Police Complaints Are to busy to reply !!!

Do not Worry the Interior Ministry & Ombudswoman & EU Commision all have the Same problem getting the Police to reply or Explain
Oh and the insurance Company cannot find Any records Either.

Val is it not just Wonderfull this being A EU COUNTRY With the Boys in blue protecting and guarding !!!! You must be So proud.

Sun, August 1st 2010 at 00:54

Val. comments:

James-you delight in spreading malicious gossip about Cyprus.Acording to you there is nothing good about Cyprus or its people;you deserve to live somewhere better.
Mark-give up , you are not making much sense.

Sun, August 1st 2010 at 00:38

James JH lockhart comments:

John from larnaca,

If it was the Same police Who helped Rob my House in Emba they need more then Watches !!!

Strange to Say there is no police record Or Case number on my Robbery Explained Away By the IPCC as the Chief of police Papacostas Decision not to reveal to the complainer under the law.

The IPCC As per Standard Set in the ROC refuse to State What law or identify it ZEven When offered a copy of cyprus law.

I wonder how much the visitors Will be Ripped off during there Stay ??

Sun, August 1st 2010 at 00:38

Mark comments:

Val are you one of those Russians that live in those villas at sea in Latchi. I wonder where those Russians got the money to built all that luxury. And no, I do not do any drugs eventhough there are so many illegal activities in Latchi, Polis and Argaca.

Sat, July 31st 2010 at 23:01

John from Larnaca comments:

Earlier I commented in a way that was neither abusive,racist,sexist,homophobic, slurring, or wildly off topic: nor used excessive foul language, contained advertising content or included any ad hominem attack.
My comment was deleted, presumably because I simply wondered how many Cyprus police in the Latchi district would end up wearing Rolex watches as a result of this visit??
Fair comment I would suggest!

Sat, July 31st 2010 at 22:42

Dave Hollins comments:

What a waste of taxpayers money, looking after some tit.

Sat, July 31st 2010 at 22:41

Val. comments:

WELCOME to the Saudi Prince billionaire.Cyprus will give a first class service to an important guest. As for negative REALITY and MARK, I think they must be on some powerful illegal narcotics.

Sat, July 31st 2010 at 18:25

Mark comments:

Hope he won't eat in any taverna's around the over priced left overs

Sat, July 31st 2010 at 13:33

Val. comments:

Wow for the ROC!Huge investments,visits by very important dignitaries and now the a tourist attraction of Saudi Princes!Well done Cyprus, this is another strong indication that we have much to offer.

Sat, July 31st 2010 at 13:21

paphos-man comments:

the leptos brown tounges wont be far behind ...