A Saudi inmate, who had left prison on a 24-hour family visit, threatened to detonate an explosive belt he wore on his waist upon his return to the facility on Wednesday morning, taking 200 inmates hostage in the process.
The man also had a gun in his possession at the time of the incident. There were no reports of casualties or damage.
Security guards, who monitor returning inmates, saw the man entering the premises.
Security authorities in Madinah were mobilized and experts on weaponry and explosives also intervened to retrieve the explosive belt.
A source at the Prison Directorate in Madinah said the inmate does not suffer from mental illness and did not make demands at the time of the threat.
Sources said security forces tackled him after a six-hour standoff.
The Saudi was around 30 years old and had left the prison on an approved visit. He entered the prison ward at around 11 a.m.
The young man was serving a five-year prison sentence for theft.
The prison source also said that information reported in the Saudi media about the incident was not accurate.
Jail panic: Inmate returns with explosive belt
