A Saudi prince, known internationally for his open criticism of the ruling family including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has died after being critically weakened by a hunger strike.

Prince Talal bin Abdul Aziz, a half brother of King Salman, died at the age of 87 on Saturday but various media outlets said the location of his death was yet to be known.

Talal had reportedly been hospitalized in the capital Riyadh due to ill health. He stopped eating in November last year after bin Salman ordered the capture of three of his sons, including billionaire Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, during a crackdown on well-to-do royals and businessman.

Prince al-Waleed was the richest among the dozens of those arrested by bin Salman, who is also known as MbS. He was released in January after being pressured to pay a reported sum of $6 billion in ransom.