‘Gay’ Saudi prince faces execution
London: The Saudi prince, who allegedly killed his manservant at a posh London hotel, faces execution in his homeland-—not for the murder but “for being gay”, a media report said.
ABritish court was told that homosexuality is illegal in Saudi Arabia and carries death penalty which could well be applied if the 34-year-old Prince’s family decide that he has brought shame on them, The Sun reported.
“Homosexuality is illegal in Saudi Arabia and carries the death penalty,” prosecutor Bobbie Cheema was quoted as telling the Old Bailey court. “The country in which any alleged acts took place would have little bearing on the likelihood of prosecution as the Saudi legal system is based on the sharia law which is considered to be universal."
Prince Saud Abdulaziz bin Nasser al Saud has admitted manslaughter but strenuously denies having a “gay fling” with his victim—found beaten and strangled at a five-star London hotel where the pair were allegedly on a holiday.
He pleads not guilty to murder. Servant Bandar Abdullah Abdulaziz, 32, had bite marks on him, said to have been caused during a sex romp. His master —captured on CCTV attacking him in a hotel lift—is grandson of the Saudi king.
Two male escorts are alleged to have performed sex acts on the prince at the Landmark hotel in central London where he and Abdulaziz were staying
Cheema said any prosecution by the Saudis depended on “the wishes of his family”. “There have been cases where the family have pushed for the most severe penalty.” The Prince could also be in peril from his victim’s family “although as he is a member of the Saudi royal family, this risk would be reduced”, the prosecutor added.
The Prince’s counsel John Kelsey-Fry, however, said: “That all is predicated on, if it was the case as alleged, the defendant had engaged in homosexuality.” The trial continues. The prince, whose mother is one of King Abdullah’s daughters, denies murder and a charge of grievous bodily harm with intent in relation to an earlier alleged assault in a hotel lift.
ABritish court was told that homosexuality is illegal in Saudi Arabia and carries death penalty which could well be applied if the 34-year-old Prince’s family decide that he has brought shame on them, The Sun reported.
“Homosexuality is illegal in Saudi Arabia and carries the death penalty,” prosecutor Bobbie Cheema was quoted as telling the Old Bailey court. “The country in which any alleged acts took place would have little bearing on the likelihood of prosecution as the Saudi legal system is based on the sharia law which is considered to be universal."
Prince Saud Abdulaziz bin Nasser al Saud has admitted manslaughter but strenuously denies having a “gay fling” with his victim—found beaten and strangled at a five-star London hotel where the pair were allegedly on a holiday.
He pleads not guilty to murder. Servant Bandar Abdullah Abdulaziz, 32, had bite marks on him, said to have been caused during a sex romp. His master —captured on CCTV attacking him in a hotel lift—is grandson of the Saudi king.
Two male escorts are alleged to have performed sex acts on the prince at the Landmark hotel in central London where he and Abdulaziz were staying
Cheema said any prosecution by the Saudis depended on “the wishes of his family”. “There have been cases where the family have pushed for the most severe penalty.” The Prince could also be in peril from his victim’s family “although as he is a member of the Saudi royal family, this risk would be reduced”, the prosecutor added.
The Prince’s counsel John Kelsey-Fry, however, said: “That all is predicated on, if it was the case as alleged, the defendant had engaged in homosexuality.” The trial continues. The prince, whose mother is one of King Abdullah’s daughters, denies murder and a charge of grievous bodily harm with intent in relation to an earlier alleged assault in a hotel lift.
Courtesy: Times of India 17.10.10
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