Prince 'could face death' over alleged gay lifestyle

A SAUDI prince accused of murdering his servant could face the death penalty in his home country over his alleged gay sex life.

Homosexuality is illegal under Saudi Arabia's sharia law code, an Old Bailey jury trying Saud Abdulaziz bin Nasser al Saud was told.

At times the families of defendants in such cases have pushed for the most severe penalty because of the perceived shame, the court heard.

Saud, 34, is accused of killing 32-year-old Bandar Abdulaziz during a ferocious attack with a "sexual element" in February.

Two male escorts are alleged to have performed sex acts on the prince at the Landmark hotel in central London where he and Mr Abdulaziz were staying.

John Kelsey-Fry QC, defending, has denied suggestions that the two men were in a gay relationship.

Bobbie Cheema, prosecuting, said: "Homosexuality is illegal in Saudi Arabia and carries the death penalty which is still applied in some cases. 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.

"Whether the defendant would be prosecuted is a matter for the Saudi authorities but would to some extent depend on the wishes of his family.

"There have been cases where the family have pushed for the most severe penalty, particularly where the individual is thought to have brought shame on the family.

"The defendant could be at risk from members of his own family who may feel that he has brought shame on the family.

"He could also be at risk from members of the victim's family, although as he is a member of the Saudi royal family this risk would be reduced."

Saud denies murder and a second charge of grievous bodily harm with intent in relation to an earlier alleged assault in a hotel lift.