Saudi Prince remanded at Belmarsh - Al Saud Abdulazaziz on murder charge over aide's death

Published: 30 July 2010
by DAVID ST GEORGE

A LEADING member of the Saudi royal family who has denied a murder charge over the death of an aide will face a jury on October 4, the Old Bailey was told this week.

Mr Justice Bean said the forthcoming trial will be “substantial and important”.

Lawyers have agreed that the case, which will make use of “extensive” CCTV footage, will also see pathologists arguing the cause of death.

Prince Saud Al Saud Abdulazaziz, 33, has denied murdering his assistant at their luxury suite at the Landmark Hotel, Marylebone Road.

He was arrested on February 15 when a fellow Saudi Arabian, Bandar Abdulazia, 32, was found dying from head injuries in their third-floor apartment.

The prince is being held in custody at Belmarsh Prison in south-east London and was said to be “close to breakdown”.

In addition to the murder count, he denied a further charge alleging he attacked and injured Mr Abdulazia a week earlier.

The prince is defended by leading criminal lawyer John Kelsey-Fry, QC, who has until September 10 to supply a defence case statement to the court.